Jean MacKenzie, from Balintore, who has been involved with Balintore Football Club in one capacity or another for over 20 years, was nominated for the Administrator of the Year award at the Ross-shire Sports Awards at the Osprey Room at the Highland Football Academy in Dingwall.

Jean, who has been the club's chairman for the past five years, was oblivious to the fact she had been nominated by officials from the North Caledonian League.

She explained, "It came as a complete surprise.

"I received a voicemail from Edwin Skinner from Invergordon congratulating me on my gaining the award.

"He said he was surprised I wasn't there to pick it up myself. I didn't know what he was talking about!

"I phoned Edwin when he got home and asked him what it was I was supposed to have won.

"When he told me I came first in the Administrator category I replied, 'are you sure it's not someone else with the same name?' But when he said the winner was from Balintore, I thought, 'it must be me'.

"It was a very pleasant surprise, but I can't take all the credit for myself.

"It takes more than one person to run the football club.

"We have a very active committee. I might be the one who moans and groans all the time but I just play a part - there are so many other people involved and they must take a lot of the credit."

Jean was presented with the James Evans Trophy by Balintore footballer Scott MacGruer, who came first in the coaching awards, before last Saturday's match with Dingwall Thistle.

Jean added, "Our manager Michael MacLeod has done really well since he came to the club considering we lost half our players.

"Although we lost 2-1 to Dingwall Thistle on Saturday we played very well - I really believe we have turned a corner."

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