On Sunday 7th February, players at Cambusnethan Talbot Community Football Club were joined by former Scotland, Celtic, and Liverpool striker, Kenny Dalglish, who visited the club to celebrate the launch of the 2016 Scottish FA Grassroots Awards, presented by McDonald’s and the Sunday Mail.

The awards, now in their 13th year, celebrate and raise awareness of the thousands of people that dedicate their time to help improve the grassroots game across Scotland.

During the day, Scotland’s all-time top goal scorer, spent time with the club as they trained, answering questions, giving pointers on technique and posing for photos. He also hosted the official kit handover with the club’s 2005 age group, alongside local McDonald’s Franchisee Kate Walker.

The club received the new kit as part of the McDonald’s Kit Scheme for Scottish FA Quality Mark clubs. The scheme offers all Quality Mark clubs with an opportunity to redeem a free kit each season.

The McDonald’s Head of Scottish Football, Kenny Dalglish, said: “Grassroots football is the lifeblood of the national game and without the dedication of thousands of volunteers it simply wouldn’t exist. The passion they show for the national game never ceases to amaze me. We are lucky to have so many devoted grassroots volunteers to ensure football happens across Scotland week in, week out. I would urge anyone in who has benefited from their dedication to nominate a club or volunteer for this year’s awards.

He added: “Throughout my time with McDonald’s I have visited hundreds of grassroots clubs and you can see what a difference a kit makes. It was an honour to deliver a brand new playing kit to Cambusnethan Talbot Community FC. The McDonald’s Kit Scheme is a fantastic reward for accredited clubs throughout the UK. I hope that the kit presented to these clubs goes a long way and that it helps them to put in some great performances this season.” 

Local McDonald’s Franchisee, Kate Walker, who supports grassroots football in the region, said: “McDonald’s has supported grassroots football for over 13 years and we are proud of the heritage that we have created. The awards help recognise and celebrate the work of the volunteers and clubs that we support at a local level across Scotland. Grassroots clubs play an important role in bringing communities together and the thousands of volunteers who dedicate countless hours to the game deserve our recognition.”

For more information about the McDonald’s Community Football programme, kit scheme or to nominate for the 2016 Grassroots Awards visit: www.mcdonalds.co.uk/betterplay