LOCHGELLY footballer Jake Fairhurst admitted he had to pinch himself in amazement after receiving his Bank of Scotland Midnight League Player of the Year award from former Scotland manager Alex McLeish.

The Bank of Scotland Midnight League is a network of five-a-side football games that aims to keep youngsters aged between 12 and 16 off the streets and give them something to do on a Friday and Saturday night.

Run in partnership with Bank of Scotland, the Scottish Football Association and the Scottish Government's CashBack for Communities scheme, Midnight Leagues are played in over 100 communities in all 32 local authorities in Scotland.

Jake is part of the Midnight League run at Lochgelly High School community use as part of a youth diversion project.

And after impressing the SFA coaches with his ability, attitude and respect, Jake was chosen as one of just a handful of players nationwide to be invited to Hampden Park to receive their award from Alex McLeish, who has also managed the likes of Hibernian, Rangers, Birmingham City and Aston Villa.

The 16-year-old was also treated to a training session in the shadows of Hampden Park before watching the national side draw 2-2 with Poland in their European Championship qualifier.

And while Scotland couldn’t leave Hampden Park victorious, Lochgelly School pupil Jake was delighted to have got his hands on a prestigious award.

“A bulletin came around the school telling us about the Midnight League and we got a few pals together so that we could go down,” he said.

“I’ve been going since then and it’s been really great for me and for all my friends and it’s something we really enjoy.

“I’ve seen the difference it can make personally because a lot of people can get involved in drinking at a young age.

“I brought a lot of players into the Midnight League and it feels good because it’s hard to get boys to come down on a Friday night so it’s a sense of accomplishment.

“So it’s nice to have this at the end of it and to be able to come here and get coached from someone like Alex McLeish.”

Former Scotland manager McLeish was in attendance to not only present the trophies but also offer advice to the emerging stars.

And impressed with the talent on show, he believes the Bank of Scotland Midnight League programme is invaluable for helping to nurture the next generation of players.

“It’s a great project and I have been helping the Bank of Scotland and the Midnight League for a few years now”: he said.

“I see a lot of progress in it already and it’s not really about turning them into professionals but more about trying to get them to love the game and to impart their love onto younger kids.

“A lot of these kids are taking on coaching courses which is really encouraging and it’s a pleasure for me to come and do whatever I can to help grass roots.

“The ultimate goal is a pathway to the national team but it’s also about teaching young people about values, discipline and giving them that respect for other people in whatever walk of life they go into.

"I think football will do that and when you have a team working together then all those values come to the fore.”

Bank of Scotland Midnight League is a free community football programme delivered across all 32 local authorities in Scotland, aimed at boys and girls aged 12 - 16. For more information visit: www.scottishfa.co.uk/midnightleague