HILL of Beath Hawthorn's chairman has received a major award from the Scottish Football Association.

Dave Baillie, who helped found the club in the mid 1970s, received his Best Volunteer In Adult Football accolade before the Dundee derby at Tannadice recently.

Dave, and wife Jacqui, were guests of the SFA and before the game, a 1-0 win for United, he was presented with his award.

The former TV engineer and builder played his part in the founding of the Haws as an amateur team in 1975, which went on to become a successful junior side and won the Scottish OVD Cup in 1990.

As the game restructured four years ago, Dave played his part as chairman, guiding the club into Scottish football’s pyramid structure and being able to take part in the Scottish Cup, adding up to a total of 46 years working hard behind the scenes.

This work has included caring for the pitch at the club’s Keirs Park home, and carrying out a number of major building projects which has seen the ground become one of the neatest stadiums in the lower leagues.

Dave said: “When I was asked to go to Dundee for the derby game I was surprised, and to receive this award is really something I did not expect.

“I have really enjoyed being part of the Haws story, which has went from the club being a decent amateur team, through to OVD Cup winners, and then to become a senior side and we have had so many hard workers involved who have made it all possible.”