THE platinum jubilee of Musselburgh Windsor Football Club – one of the oldest and largest youth football clubs in Scotland – was celebrated at a gala dinner on Sunday.

More than 140 members and guests gathered at the Royal Musselburgh Golf Club for an afternoon of awards and a special after-dinner speech delivered by former world sprint champion George McNeill.

This marked 70 years of Musselburgh Windsor FC, founded in 1953 by Joe Brown, a resident of the town’s Windsor Park.

The event was hosted by Sky Sports Scotland broadcaster Lawrie Anne Brown, Joe’s granddaughter, with her father Lawrence taking centre-stage at the top table, flanked by president Scott Robertson, board member Roger Boyle, and Derek Weir, the longest-serving committee member in the club’s history.

The afternoon commenced with a club promotional video, which included drone footage over Pinkie Playing Fields, the club’s home.

Lawrie Anne informed guests that the club was “unrecognisable from its modest beginning”, with only one team in the under-17 age group. Today, Musselburgh Windsor has nearly 800 young players and nearly 200 volunteer coaches.

Described as “a formidable organisation”, it was said “the work of many has yielded results on the pitch, with cups, league titles and trophies being won”.

Personal player development has also been a success, with more than 20 players signed into the Club Academy Scotland programme.

To mark the seven decades, the club created a list of honorary members – former volunteers who had given at least 10 years of dedication and had served the greater good of the club.

Those recognised were Johnny Brown, Dougie Hall, Colin Johnston, Tim Olton, Derek Weir and Maurice Wilson.

Three long-service awards were presented to Johnny Brown, Jim Dickson and Roger Boyle as they reached the milestone of 15 years.

Following nominations and deliberations by the John Murray Shield Award panel, David Steel was announced as the recipient of the club’s top accolade.

Allan Russell, club chairman, and Jim Dickson, vice-chairman, presented the shield to David, who recalled some of his favourite memories of his time with the club.

The biggest cheer of the day was afforded to John Hood, who was inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame.

Club president Scott Robertson told of John’s “unparalleled work” with the club over 25 years. He cited his involvement in growing the Kids School in the early 1990s, to starting the largest-ever new age group intake in Windsor’s history, with 80 youngsters.

The audience learned of John’s involvement with the golden jubilee celebrations in 2004, as well as organising the John Murray dinner, applying to the Scottish FA for the Quality Mark and his continuing support of the Kenny Ritchie Festival of Football.

On top of all his commitments, Mr Hood has successfully gained an SFA Children’s Licence, qualified as a Coerver coach, represented Musselburgh on a twinning trip to Champigny-sur-Marne, Musselburgh’s French twin town, established the popular walking football club as well as the highly regarded football memories meetings, run McDonald’s Fun Days, drafted the first club charter, organised kit for Africa, visited Rwanda, acted as club development officer, club secretary, club treasurer and bookings secretary, and is currently coaching with the new under-six age group, as well as the new girls’ team.

Receiving his cut-crystal Hall of Fame award, John spoke of the “unforgettable memories and his unbridled love of football and the club”.

The afternoon rounded off with a two-course meal, followed by comic entertainment from George McNeill.

Local businesses donated prizes for a raffle, including signed Hibernian, Celtic, Manchester United and Hearts tops. Both Musselburgh and Royal Musselburgh Golf Clubs contributed, as did Ravelston House and Musselburgh Athletic.

After the event, Mr Robertson said: “The club is greatly indebted to all those that give of their time to help youngsters play the game they love. The recipients of awards have been recognised for their outstanding contribution. ”

The profit from the dinner will be donated to a fundraiser for Declan McDonald, a 16-year-old footballer who was left paralysed after a collision during a match earlier this year. The AC Rovers player broke his neck during a game against EK Burgh.