A NEW sporting award is being found in memory of a much-missed Largs dad who was killed in a tragic road accident. a much missed and popular player from Largs - Euan Thomson.

The family of Euan Thomson have donated a trophy to his former rugby club, Ardrossan Accies, with the award going to a player he exemplifies the attributes that made the 32-year-old such a special player and person.

Euan, 32, died after he was involved a collision on the A760 road between Largs and Kilbirnie while cycling to his work last August.

Accies, for whom Euan played for more than a decade, have since placed his shirt number, four, on the right sleeve of their shirts in his honour.

Euan was loved locally and was a popular figure at events and places around the town.

He featured for many years as part of Accies first XV side, where he often played alongside his younger brother Jamie.

In a statement from the family on the Ardrossan Accies website, says: "It is with a heavy heart and an immense amount of pride I am writing to inform you that the Thomson family will be donating a new trophy to the club for the 1st XV Ardrossan Academical’s men’s team in memory of Euan Thomson, who was tragically killed in a cycling accident.

"This trophy will be presented to the supporter’s player of the year, which shall be voted for at the end of each season prior to the main prize giving event. Details on how to do so will be shared by the club shortly.

"This is a trophy that we believe would be close to Euan’s heart as he was very passionate about the Ardrossan Accies club and the supporters. We hope that the winner will have all the attributes that Euan brought to the club, pride in everything he did, workrate during and outwith the game to make him a better team player, competitiveness and commitment, but also enjoyment in playing and socialising with all of his rugby family. He had so much time for everyone at the club. The doors to the lounge bar would swing open at the end of a game and in Euan would bowl, with a great big smile, a bottle of beer and kind words for everyone.

"This trophy is not to take away anything from the main player of the year award, but will hopefully make each player strive to achieve the best of their ability to gain the most enjoyment from the game and the club, possibly encouraging them to push on in the following seasons.

"We hope you will support this trophy with the same passion Euan gave to the club."

Last November, Scottish Rugby paid a touching tribute to the Largs father-of-two in the official matchday programme for Scotland's glamour match with the All Blacks at Murrayfield, which was attended by Euan's family.

The tribute, under the headline 'Euan Thomson 27/11/89-10/8/22 - Always Remembered', told of the Largs man's love of the sport and his family.

Euan was also a stalwart for The British Heart Foundation and raised large sums for them over the years through various charity endeavours.