ELLIEREACHESGOAL THANKSTODAD

FATHERS PITCH IN FOR STARS OF TOMORROW

Lots of you got in touch to tell us about the supportive dads who go the extra mile to ensure their girls are able to indulge their sporty passions, whether that be football, kickboxing or athletics.

We teamed up with Scottish Women’s Football to offer the pick of the bunch a fantastic prize, with the winning dad receiving £200 of sports vouchers and two runners up each receiving £50 in vouchers.

It was a tough task to pick just three from the dozens of entries we received but here are the winning stories. WINNER: David Macdonald

Once David’s daughter Ellie was old enough to hold a shinty stick she looked set to follow in her dad’s footsteps playing the game.

A sporty kid, she also enjoyed badminton – but it soon became clear football was the sport she really loved.

David supported Ellie every step of the way and spells at First Touch in Gourock and Glasgow City – where she won a domestic treble – followed before signing for Rangers Ladies a year ago.

Originally from Rothesay, on the Isle of Bute, the Macdonalds even moved to Renfrew to support Ellie’s fledgling football career.

Now aged 15, she’s captain of the Rangers under-17s side.

David said: “I’m really chuffed Ellie is involved in sport. I’m very proud of her.

“Her friends at school were playing football and she’s good at it so I think that’s why she chose football over other sports.

“She’s always been very committed to going to training several nights a week – she loves it.” David eventually hung up his shinty stick and fully committed to his daughter’s football.

He added: “I played shinty for a long time. It was a big thing to give up because I enjoyed it but you know when the time is right to stop.

“It was time to give Ellie a chance. The important thing is that she’s enjoying playing football. Watching Ellie play football is my hobby now.”

David was nominated by wife Kirsteen, who told us: “He is a very proud dad, who would do everything in his power to support his daughter.”

“It’s just about trying to encourage Ellie as much as possible,” said David.

Ellie said: “I played other sports but football was the one I liked the most.

“I was at Glasgow City for three years and I’m now at Rangers Ladies. My dad comes along to every game. He’s been very important to my football career. None of this would have happened if it wasn’t for him.”