LIFE membership of Gala Fairydean Rovers FC has been bestowed upon former club chairman Kevin Temple.

He received the award in the boardroom at Netherdale after Saturday's 1-1 draw with Cowdenebeath.

Kevin is sales director of Novomatic Gaming UK Ltd., who were one of the sponsors of Saturday's match.

Fittingly Graeme McIver – who was secretary of the club for the six years that Kevin was chairman – made the presentation.

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Graeme, who is the chairman of the Gala Fairydean Rovers' community trust, said official recognition of Kevin's achievements at the club was long overdue.

He said: "Gala Fairydean Rovers FC will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the re-amalgamation of the Fairydean and the Rovers into a single entity this coming June.

"During that time the club has spent nine successive seasons in the Scottish Lowland League, are the top ranked Scottish Borders football club, have established a charitable trust involving hundreds of youth, junior, women, girls, disabled and walking footballers, and a £1.45 million refurbishment of the iconic Peter Womersley-designed stand at Netherdale has just taken place along with a new pitch and floodlight installation process.

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"Back in 2013 the situation was very different. Gala Fairydean were playing in the second tier of the East of Scotland League, the club was in tens of thousands of pounds of debt, there was no coherent pathway for youth and junior footballers in the town and no community engagement programme.

"Whilst the hard work of lots of people came together to help create the new and improved entity, it required a fulcrum and a driving force to achieve success. Kevin had the necessary skills and drive and enthusiasm to ensure that happened.

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"Progressing from a coach at the youth and junior level to leading the amalgamation discussions, Kevin became the first chair of the newly constituted club and for six years worked tirelessly to ensure that he left football in Galashiels in a much improved state than which he found it.

"It is only fitting that Kevin's fantastic contribution to football in the town is rewarded with a lifetime membership of Gala Fairydean Rovers FC."