A STALWART of Dunfermline Tennis Club honoured by the Queen insists her award is recognition for everyone she’s worked with.

Pat Reid, whose association with the Bothwell Street club stretches almost 50 years, was awarded an MBE for services to tennis and lacrosse in the New Year’s Honours List.

Last Wednesday, she received her accolade at Holyrood Palace while another West Fifer, Alexander Duncan, from Kincardine, also received an MBE for services to the Scouting movement, for his role as the Scout Association’s east region’s regional commissioner and the Vine Trust.

Having started as a player, Pat – who is also vice-chair of Dunfermline and West Fife Sports Council – joined the tennis club’s committee in 1969.

Since then, she has gone on to serve as its secretary for almost three decades and, in 2015, her “outstanding service” to the sport was recognised when she was presented with Tennis Scotland’s prestigious Honorary Vice Presidents’ Award.

At national level, she was president of the governing body in 2003 and 2004, and went on to hold the post of director of tennis services.

Her involvement with the organisation coincided with the emergence and success of Andy and Jamie Murray, who both honed their skills on Dunfermline’s courts while mum Judy was a club member, with whom she won the Scottish Cup.

Pat, who was accompanied to the ceremony by daughters Alison and Fiona, and sister Pamela, said: “It seems a long time to wait but I had an absolutely great day.

“We were taken into a holding room and were told what would happen; those receiving knighthoods were first, and then the MBEs were at the end. I was 51st in a queue of 64 people so I had to wait quite a long time!

“When your name was announced, you had a minute with the Queen. She said that it’s tennis season, and that it’s Wimbledon, and asked how long I’d been involved. I had to say quickly that I’ve been 50 years on the club committee, secretary for 30 years, and been involved with East of Scotland, Tennis Scotland and the LTA.

“Afterwards I went out for lunch with some family and friends, who were all delighted and made a few speeches that made me feel embarrassed!

“But, as I told them all, this is for all the people, friends and organisations I’ve worked with.

“I’m very pleased tennis has received recognition.”

After Pat’s MBE was announced, Alan Russell, the tennis club’s head coach, said: “It’s very well-deserved.

“She’s had a truly incredible career with a huge amount of achievements.

“I’ve known her since I started playing tennis in 1965.

“She has a huge knowledge of the game and I have so much respect for her and the work she’s done.”