Hamish Imrie is a legendary figure at Lanark United after ten years of incredible volunteering.
Every single day, without fail, the 80-year-old heads up to Moor Park to undertake vital work around the ground to keep it in pristine condition.
Imrie, grandfather of Hamilton Accies legend Dougie, spends all day at the ground carrying out essential tasks from painting and draining the pitch to cleaning.
He encapsulates what lower league football is all about and the remarkable figure is adored by everybody at Lanark United and the local community.
“I’ve been helping out there for over ten years,” Imrie said. “My son knew the groundsman, George, and he got in touch with me to go up and give them a wee hand.
“That’s where it all started and nothing has really changed over all the years.
"I go up there at 9 o’clock every single morning and I stay until 4 in the afternoon - every day. There is a lot to do around the place.
“I’ve done everything during lockdown and it keeps me busy. I want to keep going as long as I can because I try to keep myself fit.
“I don’t want to retire and stiffen all up. I’ve done loads of jobs over the years from painting the stands and I’ve drained the park three times over the years.
“We’ve never lost a game due to the weather after that in all my years at Lanark.”
Hamish’s grandfather is Accies legend and former captain Dougie Imrie and he was fortunate enough to watch his beloved grandson turn out for Lanark United.
The current Livingston coach started his career at the Moor Park side before joining Clyde and his grandfather was a proud spectator.
“I love watching Lanark play,” Imrie admitted. “I used to watch Dougie play and it was a proud moment - he was a very good player.”
Despite his love for football, Imrie never used to play and he spent the majority of his working life as a farmer before he retired.
His dedication to his work is unquestionable and Lanark United described him as ‘one of their best ever signings’ last week.
He said: “I was a farmer at Robiesland Park in Lanark - I worked there for over 46 years.
“They said that I’m one of Lanark’s best ever signings and that’s probably right. The fans really appreciate everything that I’ve done for them and they all know who I am.”
Lanark United president George Reid can’t speak highly enough of Imrie and Reid insists that he is the life and soul of the club.
“He is an absolute superstar,” Reid said. “He’s one of the people that keeps the club going and he’s brilliant around the ground.
“We’ve got a great pitch at Lanark and people think it’s just luck but Hamish is a big part of that.
“He comes from a farming background and when we fixed the pitch, Hamish knew everything about it and explained why we needed to take out the clay drains.
“His knowledge is really invaluable. We’ve got a squad of volunteers, who are great, but Hamish goes like an express train in comparison to everyone else.
“He’s appreciated by everyone but don’t mention a job to Hamish unless you’ve got everything to get the job done.
“He’s a perfectionist but he works incredibly hard to help the club out. Our whole operation gains credibility through Hamish and his hard work inspires everyone at the club.
“If Hamish’s wife wanted to go shopping then he’d make sure that he’s got his work finished at the club before he takes her.
“In the age of the highly-paid superstars, it’s brilliant to see these local heroes who get nothing out of it other than gratification for their work.”
Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video
