GRASSROOTS THE KING AND I
Les didn’t live up to billing with Dalglish – but he’s still been football star for 50 years
He played for Scotland against England 50 years ago and was tipped for the top alongside Kenny Dalglish.
The fact only one of them made it that far turned out to be Les Donaldson’s loss but football’s gain.
Five decades on, the game gave the former teacher and stalwart of Scottish schools football his proudest moment when he took centre stage at Hampden to receive the highest honour in the McDonald’s/ Sunday Mail Grassroots Awards.
The 65- year- old has spent nearly half a century fostering schools and junior football all over the country and was recognised with the Merit Award for services to the grassroots game in a sparkling ceremony at the National Stadium at which Gordon St rachan and Graeme Souness handed out the honours.
And he said: “I thought being awarded an MBE for services to education and footbal l in 2001 was the pinnacle but tonight, to get an award like this, voted on by ordinary people, is up there with the best thing that has ever happened. I’m thrilled.
“I played for Scotland schoolboys alongside Kenny in 1966 and we drew 1-1 with England at Ibrox. The papers said there would be two who would make the grade – Dalglish and spring-heeled keeper Willie Donaldson – but the only thing against me was my height.
“Unfortunately they were right but it was a life-changer for me because I moved into teaching and I had the most fantastic career. I loved every moment dealing with the kids.
“I tried to take that passion into football with schools associations and with Linlithgow Rose and I’m still heavily involved to this day, although not in the coaching.
“It’s my mission to make sure every kid leaves the game with a smile on their face. That’s success.”
It’s the 13th year of the Grassroots Awards and 2016 unearthed the usual special selection of volunteers, recognising the people who are the beating heart of football in every corner of the country.
Recogni sing winners f rom Campbeltown to Deveronvale, they spoke passionately about their commitment to kids, adult and disability football and were applauded by Souness and Strachan.
The national team boss said: “I think the volunteers here are terrific.
“Somewhere along the way someone in professional football will come back and thank you and it’ll be the best feeling in the world when that happens.
“It’s so important. You might not get the headlines we do but you should understand how much we appreciate your commitment.
“Spor t changes l ives. Unfortunately there’s no one here f rom the Scottish Government tonight because if they were I’d tell them if they really wanted to be remembered, really wanted to change Scottish society for good, sport should be at the heart of it. I’ve seen it change communities and it can work everywhere.”
Strachan also made an impassioned plea for an