PHOTOS: Football Club in Tain reveal new shield in memory of long-time 'custodian'
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An Easter Ross football club have unveiled a memorial to one of its greatest 'custodians' in the form of a new shield.
Guests of St Duthus Football Club gathered at a fundraising dinner on Saturday March 4 to witness the unveiling of the Alan Ross Memorial Shield – a tribute to one of its longest serving members.
Alan Ross, who died following a battle with cancer in October 2021, had represented the club as a committee member, office bearer, coach and player between the 1970s and 2005.
It was announced on the night that the new memorial shield will be used to recognise the club's "Young Player of the Year" each season – an award they have presented since 2016.
Three previous winners of the award, Finn As-Chainey, Will Ross and Adam Allan, were in attendance to join Alan’s best friend James Oliver and Alan’s son Stuart in revealing the shield for the first time.
A representative for the club said: “Alan was such an important custodian of the club. His dedication for many years as a driving force behind the scenes, and even after that as a supporter has been invaluable in keeping football going in Tain. In his memory, the Friends of Alan Ross fund has also helped to keep the club alive throughout the pandemic.
"We will forever be indebted to Alan Ross and we are delighted to unveil this tribute to him tonight. We look forward to being able to present it for many seasons to come.”
Guest speaker on the night, Jim Oliver, who played for Tain in 1974-75 as a sixteen year old before moving to Dundee United, said: "I was honoured to assist Alan's son Stuart to unveil the new Alan Ross Memorial Shield.
"To coincide with the 'rebirth' of the club (in 2016) the names of the players who have won the honour in the last 7 years have had their names added and it was great to have three of them there on the night. If they had gone back 49 years to 1974 I may have been in with a shout too!
"Alan was one of a kind and it is fantastic that the club have honoured his memory in this way."
