A STALWART of Musselburgh Windsor Football Club has been awarded honorary membership of the club.

Stuart Turnbull, from Musselburgh, who was unable to make the club’s 70th dinner back in March, received the accolade at the club’s recent AGM, which was held at the Ravelston House Hotel.

He became involved in the club – one of the oldest and largest youth football clubs in Scotland – back in May 2003, when he joined the planning committee for the club’s golden jubilee celebrations.

This was a significant event in the club’s history, with multiple events organised over the course of the 50th anniversary. He also introduced Musselburgh Windsor to a club-wide funding scheme known as the Central Goldline Lottery.

In 2004, he became a coach with the 1995 squad, for which his son played, and he remained involved in coaching and running the team for seven years until they reached the end of their youth football journey in 2013.

In August 2009, Mr Turnbull became the bookings secretary, which was a huge undertaking, managing bookings of changing, training and match day for every team in the club. This also meant he was elected and served on the club’s management board.

In recognition of his services to the club, Mr Turnbull was awarded the John Murray Shield, which is presented in memory of former long-serving chairman the late John Murray – the highest award at Musselburgh Windsor FC.

Mr Turnbull qualified for honorary membership of Musselburgh Windsor as he had exceeded the minimum 10 years of service and three years as a board member.

He said: “I am delighted to receive the honorary member award after spending 12 years with the club in a number of different roles.

“It was a real pleasure to attend the AGM recently and hear how the club is continuing to grow and diversify, and the club should be very proud of what it continues to do for the local community.

“I have many great memories from my time on the board and as a coach of the 1995 age group but, when I look back, perhaps one of the most rewarding things is that those boys whom I have known since they were nine years old have remained my friends, meaning that the spirit of Musselburgh Windsor FC stays with us all.”