BEM for Oban Times’ stalwart

OBAN Saints Football Club secretary David Buchanan has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for voluntary service to football.

Named in The Queen’s New Year’s Honour’s List, Davie, 67, has been involved with the club for nearly 50 years as a player, coach, manager, secretary/treasurer – and he still washes the strips every week after the games.

Davie, who has worked at The Oban Times for 50 years, said: ‘I received a letter at the end of November from the Cabinet Office in London asking if I would accept the award, which I was delighted to do.

‘The hardest part was keeping things quiet from my family and friends.

‘I am deeply honoured to accept the award not only for myself and family, but for all members, past and present, of Oban Saints Football Club and other sports clubs in the town whose committee members work just as hard as I do to keep their clubs functioning in their particular sports.

‘To think my work at the club is appreciated is reward enough, but to get the BEM is beyond my wildest dreams.

‘I would like to thank everyone who phoned and sent messages of congratulations, and to whoever nominated me for the honour.’

Davie was presented with the McDonald’s/Sunday Mail Best Volunteer in Adult Football award in 2011.

Making the presentation at a dinner in Hampden Park that evening was former Scotland, Celtic and Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish, along with former Scotland head coach, now Director of Football at Hearts, Craig Levein.