When it comes to winning awards, there’s just no stopping Cruden Homes’ site manager, Phil Purves.
As well as his busy day job as site manager at the new Fishwives’ Causeway affordable housing project Cruden is constructing for the Port of Leith Housing Association in Portobello, Phil is also chairman of his local kids’ football club, Tranent Colts FC in East Lothian, a role he has embraced for over 14 years. So fully embraced in fact, that Phil’s work with the club is now treble-award winning.
In June this year, Phil won the Volunteer of the Year Award for East Lothian, presented by East Lothian Council.
Then in September, he was presented with the SFA award for Best Volunteer in Youth Football at a regional level for his support of grassroots football in East Lothian, putting him in line for the national award.
Now Phil has clinched ‘the big one’, by winning the 2017 Scottish FA Grassroots Award for his outstanding commitment to offering football to the local community and was presented with his national trophy at a star studded awards night at Hampden Park recently by Scottish football legend, Kenny Dalglish.
Phil said: “Winning an award is not something we volunteers set out to achieve, but it is nonetheless, a very humbling experience to be recognised in this way. However it’s not just about me. This is very much a team effort and I could not do what I do were it not for the great members we have within the club, either working as volunteers or on the committee. Whatever our role, all of us do what we do for the kids. Ultimately, to see them smile is really what it’s all about and makes everything we do so worthwhile.
“We as a club are very grateful for being publicly acknowledged for the work we do and I’m very proud to be accepting this award on behalf of everyone at Tranent Colts FC who willingly give up so much of their time to help”.
The Grassroots Awards, now in its 14th year, recognises and celebrates volunteers and clubs across Scotland who dedicate their time to local grassroots football.
Phil has been the driving force behind the growth and success of Tranent Colts and as chairman since 2003, he has been instrumental in growing the club into one of the biggest in East Lothian. He’s also been working really hard with the football authorities over the years to achieve the highest Quality Mark status from the SFA.
Tranent Colts FC has also in recent years, been nominated on several occasions for East Lothian Club of the Year and finally won that coveted award last year.
Kenny Dalglish said: “These awards are a great way of rewarding those dedicated volunteers who give so much to football. Without them the game we all know and love simply wouldn’t be the same. Phil Purves is a prime example of this and I want to extend my congratulations to all of them again for their achievements and commitment.”
Hazel Davies, sales and marketing director of Cruden Homes (East) Ltd, said: “Phil’s commitment to his voluntary work is commendable and Cruden is delighted that he has been recognised for his continued hard work. People like Phil really do make a difference in the community and we are proud to have him as an employee”.
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