Reports - Colin Brown

Colin travelled west with his family a week past Thursday to attend the function after being nominated for a McDonald's/SFA Grassroots Award in partnership with the Sunday Mail. The recently retired Forfar social worker was nominated by his players and fellow coaches in recognition of his work coaching women's football over a 26-year period. Colin, who received his award from former Scotland and Celtic striker Kenny Dalglish, said it was quite an occasion, with over 300 people from the world of football attending the ceremony.

"We were greeted at the door of Hampden by a fellow Forfarian - David Taylor, the chief executive of the Scottish Football Association," he explained. Mr Brown said the award recognised the fact that Farmington was in the throes of becoming one of the elite women's football clubs in Scotland. "We are almost there", he added. "We now run ten teams, catering for girls from the age of eight through to the senior side, the club backed by a strong and enthusiastic committee, and we are now very close to achieving SFA quality status."

Throughout the years Farmington has produced a string of top players, the present club members including Scotland's Under-19 goalkeeper Fiona McNicoll and Nicola Davidson, who has just been called up to the full national squad. Forfar Farmington was described on the awards night as one of the great success stories of grassroots football in Scotland, the organisation having started life as a humble church hall youth club and having grown into a stunning set-up that boasts a membership of 170 girls. "Every age group is covered - all the way up to a team that plays in the women's premier league," it was explained to the audience.

"Colin has also helped set up a superb exchange programme with Farmington in Connecticut, this scheme having seen hundreds of kids cross the Atlantic over the past 28 years - giving them wonderful memories as well as first-class coaching. "However, all this tireless work for the club is only half the story for family man Colin. He also tries the patience of his wife and three daughters by sitting on five different committees and councils. "On top of that he has dedicated his professional life as a social worker to helping kids with learning disabilities and has twice coached Great Britain sides to the World Games of the Special Olympics in America."
In addition to his own personal award, Colin is delighted that the club is also a winner, with the sponsors providing Farmington with a range of training equipment.

Commenting on the awards ceremony, Colin added:"I'm absolutely delighted. Receiving the award from Kenny Dalglish in front of my family at Hampden Park was without doubt one of my proudest moments. The biggest reward for any grassroots coach is seeing players develop but I am delighted that McDonald's and the Scottish Football Association have recognised my work. I hope that more people will be inspired to volunteer as a grassroots coach as a result."

Kenny Dalglish, McDonald's head of Scottish Football, commented: "Grassroots coaching is built upon the dedication of volunteers like Colin and, on behalf of McDonald's, I am proud to honour Colin's achievements at the Oscars of Scottish grassroots football."