A STANDING ovation from players, parents and fellow coaches in a packed stand at Netherdale on Saturday afternoon was a fitting send-off for Fred Blackie after 28 years coaching youth football in Galashiels.

As co-ordinator of Gala Fairydean Rovers Youths, he has been responsible for developing generations of young footballers in the town.

His under 17s team finished up league champions which was the perfect way to end his coaching career.

It began with coaching sessions at Langlee, Blamoral and St Peter’s primary schools but the formation of Gala Fairydean Rovers Youths in 2006 alongside Garry Fraser took it onto another level.

His dedication to the cause was reflected on Saturday with countless tributes and presentations during the one hour long ceremony.

It didn’t end there as he was presented with life membership of Gala Fairydean Rovers FC for services to youth football in the town following the annual Coaches Cup match between the Youths and Junior Sections.

He even had the distinction of scoring the final goal in a 10-5 defeat for the Youths before the celebrations continued late into the night at Niki’s Bar.

Youths chairman Derek McGill explained Fred and Garry started the Youths in 2006 so there could be a proper pathway for young footballers in Galashiels.

He said: “It was at this time that Fred and Garry took the reins of Gala Fairydean Youth and totally reshaped the way the club was run. There had been youth teams before in various disguises at Gala Legion, Tweedbank Thistle and Gala Fairydean, but there was no proper pathway where children could play all the way through to adults.

“At the time there were only two teams at 14s and 16s so Fred and Garry went round all their contacts and persuaded people to come on board and started teams at 13s, 14s, 15s and 17s. Fred also had a girls’ team at the school who wanted to play, but as there were no other girls teams in the Borders they joined the boys’ league, the only girls’ team in Scotland to play against boys as a complete girls’ team in competitive matches every week.

“This was the base for what we now have with eight teams playing in the Borders and Edinburgh leagues.

“In 2009 Fred and Garry secured the SFA Standard quality mark for the club. Last season this was upgraded to the Development award and hopefully when reaccreditation comes up next season the club will achieve the highest accolade with the community award.

“Fred’s passion and commitment to coaching is incredible. Through his work at the school he coaches the boys and girls teams at Gala Academy. In his time he has also coached the Borders boys and girls development squads, given up his holidays to coach SFA summer programmes and Borders Sports Academy squads, Gala Legion Youths, Gala Hotspur Border Amateur team. He has coached with Gala Fairydean youths since 2006 and at present coaches the 17s squad, Girls squad.

“His football commitment does not just involve his time on the field. He is Secretary and Youth co-ordinator among other positions at the Youths. He is a member of Gala Fairydean Rovers committee, Secretary of the Scottish Borders Junior FA, Represents the football on the Club Sport Ettrick and Lauderdale committee.

Fred’s coaching expertise and successes has brought him many awards at local and National level. In 2001 he was awarded the Ettrick & Lauderdale Services to sport award, the James Mclean trust for services to sport award Association of Local Sports Councils services to sport award.

“In 2004 his Gala Academy Girls team were awarded the team of the year after winning the Scottish indoor 5 aside championship, reaching the Coca Cola cup final and the Scottish 7 aside final under his coaching.

For his work with this team he was crowned Ettrick and Lauderdale Coach of the year and James McLean trust coach of the year. In 2009 he won the services to football in the community award.

“However the ultimate prize was his award from Sunday Mail/McDonalds in 2004 for services to grass roots football. This is the top award in Scotland and was presented at a lavish ceremony at Hampden Park by King Kenny Dalglish. Testimony indeed to the hours and hours this man puts into football - every day of his life.

“There is not a day when he switches off and relaxes away from football as there will always be a phone call or an email that he will deal with - normally from me. For me Fred has been an inspiration and the reason I and many others became involved in the Youths. His passion for the game is faultless. His dedication to football has been mind blowing.” In addition to coaching Fred also played in the Galashiels and District Pub League every year from 1975 until its eventual demise in 2005 and also ran it for a decade.

Reflecting on a memorable day, Fred said: “I loved every single minute of my time. The club is in my blood and it has been a privilege to see the club grow to the healthy position it is now.” Before standing, however, he ensured all his secretarial duties and countless others were covered for next season to ensure the future prosperity of Gala Fairydean Rovers Youths.