MUSSELBURGH Windsor players, officials, parents and friends of the players along with fans of the biggest football club in East Lothian packed out the Brunton Hall for one of the biggest – and longest running - presentation ceremonies in youth club football, writes SCOTT ROBERTSON. 

In the second such event to be held by Musselburgh Windsor, the sheer scale of the growth in the stature and membership of this club in their local community was reflected in this latest event, which is becoming a major social occasion in Musselburgh, having to be split up due to the number of kids taking part. The Windsor chairman, added: “Last year, as part of the club’s Jubilee celebrations, a Presentation Night was organised which involved the entire club coming together in one night to recognise the achievements and contribution the club and its members made to youth football. However, following comments and suggestions from East Lothian Council staff the format changed this year with the younger age groups taking centre stage in the afternoon and the senior age groups appearing at night. The entire day, while t a long one for the volunteer coaches, was voted a huge success and a tribute to the organising committee, headed by vice-president Tim Olton, for the smooth running of such a large-scale event. With approximately 200 youngsters and teenagers in attendance, vocally supported by around 800 family and friends the day proved memorable for all the young footballers. The main hall of the Brunton Theatre was resplendent in royal blue and white with banners, badges, pennants and balloons decorating the surroundings providing a spectacular back drop to a unique event. Every single player of this grand old club was made to feel special as master of ceremonies, Tom Milne, introduced each age group onto the huge stage to the applause of the packed hall. The names of the players as they entered the hall was announced to the appreciative crowd as they climbed the stairs to take their ovation and receive their commemorative certificate as the flash of cameras lit up the arena.”

In a further example of the loyalty of players to Musselburgh Windsor, five and 10-year awards were presented to six players.  Mr Robertson continued: “The top award of the evening, the John Murray Shield which is presented to any player, parent, coach or supporter to acknowledge special achievement went to Dougie Hall. A long time coach with the club, Dougie has been training the younger players at Musselburgh Windsor and is known by almost every players as the man who welcomed them to the club and set them off on their footballing journey. Dougie is a ‘well kent’ face at Pinkie Playing Fields, seen most nights on the training field with budding young stars. As Kids School co-ordinator, Dougie has overseen the small sided playing teams helping hundreds, perhaps thousands of young children to participate in football. The Presentation Ceremony came to a close late on with everyone packed into the hall delighted with the smooth operation and, most importantly, the beaming faces of the players who make up Musselburgh Windsor FC!”