Josephine given grassroots honour
Milton AFC secretary Josephine Rodger has won the Scottish FA Grassroots best volunteer for youth football in Central Region.
Josephine follows in the footsteps of club co-founder Pat Griffin who won the award for adult football in 2013 and then followed it up with the inaugural People’s Award.
The 53-year-old, who has worked for Prudential at Craigforth since she left St Modan’s High School, became involved at Milton when her eldest son Paul joined the club’s soccer school set up by Willie McCulloch in 2004.
Paul stopped playing when he was 19 when he went to Dundee to study sports coaching and his mother says that no doubt being part of Milton influenced his study and career choice.
She said:“My youngest son Marc has recently broken through to the Milton team after also having played for Milton from soccer school age. He’s one of the youngest players in the amateur squad and it’s really pleasing to see these young players progress through the full Milton pathway – that’s what it’s all about at the end of the day.
“My grandfather was a supporter of Milton in the early days and went to watch them when Paul played as a lad, my dad was a supporter too, so it’s in the blood I suppose!”
Josephine paid tribute to all the helpers at Milton including Mick Mullane, one of the founder members of the club who died in June.
“In my head I accepted the award on behalf of all the 100-plus volunteers we have at our great club,”she said.
“None of them are paid for what they do but the work they carry out is a real asset to our whole community.
“It has also given me a wee lift after we lost Mick as I know he would have been so proud!”
Co-founder Pat Griffin said Josephine deserves the accolade.
He said:“After her son joined the academy in 2004, she soon became an active volunteer and was secretary of our 1994s and then 1998s sections.
“For the last eight years or so she has been the secretary of our executive committee supporting all our youth, children, ladies and academy sections.
“The amount of hours Josephine puts into the club is incredible and we can’t thank her enough for everything she does.”
The Scottish FA Grassroots Awards ceremony sponsored by McDonald’s and the Sunday Mail will be held later this year.