Friends, officials and supporters of Stirling Albion helped one of the club’s legendary fans celebrate her 90th birthday at the Scottish Cup tie against Strathspey Thistle on Saturday.
Mrs Ina Shaw collected the MBE from the Queen in 2007 for her work as Stirling Albion’s youth football organiser and on Saturday, many of her former “charges” were at Forthbank to wish her well.
The club hosted a reception prior to the match and among the messages from former players which were read out were two from ex-skippers Ross Forsyth and Andy Graham.
Ross wrote: “Over my 10 years at the club she was an integral part of the make-up of the club and as many have already said she helped make the club a special place.
“From writing you a letter, to giving you some encouraging comments after a difficult game. She was always positive, had a smile on her face and took a personal interest in you and your family.
“One of my best memories is after one of the first games, we were upstairs in th
e lounge and I hadn’t met her before then but she came right up to me, no introduction and started giving me feedback on my positional sense and that I should have done better at the goal!”
And Andy Graham, now at Alloa, wrote: “When I came to Stirling I had never been part of a professional football club and Mrs Shaw was one of the first people to make me feel welcome.
“Every Saturday she would take time to have a chat with me. She would always have words of encouragement when needed.
“I also really appreciated her taking the time to write to me when I went full time and also when I won promotion with Ayr and Alloa. It’s that kindness and thinking of others that stands Mrs Shaw apart from the rest.”
As well as her work at the Albion, Mrs Shaw is well well-known for her works with Cubs and Scouts and the former boys’ team Beechwood All Whites.
When she received her MBE, she said: “When people win awards like this they always say they are receiving it for other people. I wouldn't have got one if I hadn’t had as much help in the Cubs, at Beechwood All Whites and at Stirling Albion and I would like to thank them all.”
