A politician who is no stranger to the football field has backed a Moray sports group’s quest to develop a new generation of talented young players.
The Keith and District Youth League is eager to assume control of the town’s Fife Park pavilion and playing field in an effort to secure its future.
Moray MP Douglas Ross has acted as a referee and linesman at several high-profile Scottish and international ties in his sporting sideline.
And he was recently moved to lend his support to the aims of the Keith group after attending an information session on members’ proposal to take over the running of the facilities from Moray Council.
He said: “These plans have received a great deal of support locally, and I was pleased to go along to an information event to hear more about the progress being made.
“It is clear the group is ambitious, and does sterling work with so many young people in and around the local area.
“I am keen to support them in any way I can with their efforts.”
More than 140 children take part in games at Fife Park regularly, but in recent years the council-managed pavilion has fallen into disrepair and growing safety concerns have resulted in the electricity supply being cut off.
A period of consultation aimed at seeking local views on the group’s plans to take over the field will draw to a close at the end of this week.
League secretary Ashley Inglis said: “We’re the only group that uses the park and the council can’t afford to upgrade it just for us.
“If we don’t do anything then it will probably just keep getting into a further state to the point it can’t be used – and without a playing field we would have to fold.”
Mr Ross added: “I will be adding a letter of support for what they are hoping to achieve.”
The Conservative politician, who was recently elected to represent Moray at Westminster, attracted some criticism in the past for continuing his refereeing “hobby” despite his political career.
In an interview with the Press and Journal last month, Mr Ross conceded that he might not be able to referee “as many high-profile football matches” in his new role.