A STALWART Largs Thistle volunteer has been recognised for his sterling service to the club.

The Scottish Junior Football Association presented Pat Rall with a certificate for his 25 years of devotion at the match against Clydebank on Saturday.

SJFA Bobby McNamara is pictured with him at the game.

Pat has been recognised for a quarter of a century at Barrfields, but his time on board actually stretches back to nearly 50 years ago as he was also on the committee in the 1970s.

An old photo from the archives shows Pat attending a committee meeting at the former Silverae Hotel in Largs with future Scottish Junior Football President Gordon Law, and the late Eric Withers and Raymond Nash.

Pat told the News he was delighted to receive the award, having been a supporter of the club for seven decades, with his love affair spanning back to 1953 when Largs Thistle played Clydebank in a Scottish Cup tie in front of a record crowd.

Pat is well known as a wise-cracking football referee at the town's walking football club and is also a former Largs Thistle kit and laundryman.

Pat, who lives with his wife Rosemary on Eastern Avenue, says he still 'loves the buzz' at Barrfields Park every other Saturday.

He said: "I love my football and have met so many people through it. It is always a source of fun and excitement.

"I've been supported Thistle since I was a nipper and I don't plan to stop going to matches any time soon, home or away."