Special recognition for referee’s services from Scottish authority

Long-time Perth referee Dougie Yeats has enjoyed a memorable hat-trick of awards for his services to Scottish football.

Hot on the heels of receiving a Perth and Kinross Sports Council Lifetime Achievement award, the 76-year-old was presented with a commemorative watch at Hampden Park by the Scottish Football Association for services to refereeing.

And now the one-time foreman cooper with Dewars has become just the fourth official in the history of the Angus and Perthshire Referees’ Association to be granted honorary life membership.

The association dates back to 1945 and the only three previous recipients are Dundonians Bob Valentine, Jim McBurnie and Brian Connolly.

Dougie said: “The latest award came totally out of the blue. It’s quite an honour.

“I started out refereeing after ankle and knee injuries stopped me playing the game.

“I found myself playing one weekend and refereeing an under-18 game on the South Inch the following Saturday.”

Next year will mark his 50th year with the Angus and Perthshire group.

Most of Dougie’s Sundays are still spent preparing highly detailed reports on the previous day’s performance.

While he officiated at high profile games at home and abroad, including a Scottish Junior Cup final and Uefa matches in a number of countries, Dougie admits his most memorable decision was arguably a caution meted out at Tannadice during a Dundee United match against Hearts.

John Fleming, SFA head of refereeing, presents Dougie Yeats with his watch for services to refereeing at Hampden Park.