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Grassroots hero, Magnus Johnson, from Stornoway, has been named winner of the prestigious Best Volunteer in Youth Football Award at the 2013 Scottish FA Grassroots Awards thanks to his dedication to grassroots football in Stornoway and increasing the opportunities for local children to play the game in the area.

Magnus collected the award at Hampden Park at the national ceremony from McDonald’s Head of Scottish Football, Kenny Dalglish, and Scotland Assistant National Coach Mark McGhee.

Now in their 10th year, the awards recognise and celebrate the young players, coaches and volunteers in the six Scottish FA Regions, who dedicate their time to grassroots football in their local community.

Magnus is incredibly committed to improving football in the local area and has dedicated his entire life to the grassroots game in Stornoway. He currently manages four age groups at Stornoway Athletic FC organising team kit, preparing the pitches and running five football sessions each week at the same time as juggling a full time job.

On top of his coaching duties, Magnus also acts as a voluntary grounds man at Stornoway’s main football venue, Goathill Park as well as managing the Western Isles Games Association (WIGA) Ladies team. His outstanding work provides opportunities for young footballers to play week in week out and without him the islands grassroots football community simply wouldn’t exist.

This year, hundreds of nominations were received from across the country, with nominees first recognised at a regional level across the five volunteer categories before going on to be shortlisted for the national awards.

McDonald’s Head of Scottish Football, Kenny Dalglish said: “If it wasn’t for these fantastic volunteers up and down the country who dedicate their free time to football then the game simply wouldn’t exist.

"Magnus is just one of the remarkable individuals who gives up hundreds of hours a year to ensure that kids and adults have access to the game across Scotland and it’s important that we recognise them and say thank you for their extraordinary efforts.

"My congratulations go to Magnus and it was a pleasure to present him with an award. He has been a real driving force in creating an outstanding football club at Stornoway Athletic FC and is fully deserving of this recognition.”