Coach Pace picks up Kelso Civic Week award

Derek 'Pace' Paterson receives his outstanding citizen award from ex-Laddie Darren Paxton.

He picked up this year’s citizen award, presented by the Ex-Laddies’ Association, at the Kelso Civic Week installation ceremony last Wednesday.

The former player, who has donned the jersey for all three of the town’s teams, was joint manager of Kelso Thistle at just 25 years old, served on Kelso Football Club’s committee for 25 years and, alongside Steven Tait, has been coaching youth football at Woodside Park for more than 20 years.

Sean Hook with his younger sister Abbie.

In 2012 he was the Scottish FA’s best volunteer at its Grassroots Awards and in 2014 he was nominated to carry the Commonwealth Games baton.

Derek said: “I’ve been lucky in all my years in football to have met some great folk including Kenny Dalglish and I have worked and played with some top people as well. “But the years I’ve been involved with junior football have definitely been the highlight for me. It’s been great fun working with all ages of kids and I’d like to thank them all and their parents for committing themselves to Friday night football.

“Being born and bred in Kelso, civic week was always a big thing and being here and receiving this award is up there with everything else I’ve done.  “This award is all about team work for me. It’s for everyone I’ve worked with and for everyone at Kelso Football Club.”

Further awards were presented to Jim Hogarth, this year’s golden jubilee laddie, and silver jubilee laddie Michael Ballantyne.