AN Inverkeithing man who founded a football club 20 years ago that now has 500 members has been nominated for a Press Community Champions award.

Eddie Spence formed Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts in 1996 to give youngsters of all abilities the opportunity to play the game and have fun, and 120 kids attended their first ever training session.

Now an SFA quality-marked community football club, the Swifts currently have competitive and non-competitive teams at every age level from mini kickers to amateur, consisting of both boys and girls.

Eddie, 52, has been at the forefront of the club’s meteoric rise during the last two decades, which has included producing professional players including Cowdenbeath’s Greig Spence and Hearts’ Liam Smith, and the creation of a unique performance academy that provides additional technical training for Swifts’ elite footballers.

Eddie, who is also a committee member of Inverkeithing Community Council, said: “Over the last 20 years we have had 10,000 registrations, which from humble beginnings is phenomenal.

"There were a lack of opportunities for kids in Inverkeithing so I decided to start another which would be for all abilities, and that philosophy is still within the club.

"I put a notice up in the primary school for the first training day and we thought 20-30 would turn up, but there were 120 there!

"From there we expanded; mums and dads got involved and now we’ve got 500 kids connected to the club.

“I grew up with Craig Levein and Gordon Durie, who went on to become international players, but there has to be a level for everyone.

"I’m a great believer that if you can get kids involved in sport, then you’ll keep them away from activities that they shouldn’t be doing.

"If kids want to come along then we’ll find a place for them, and probably by the summer our numbers will be up to 600. The 2004s for example have three teams playing at 11-a-side, which is remarkable.”

He added: “We’re like a big family – we have a fantastic working committee and we’re a real community club.

"Every Christmas we take 500 kids to the cinema for free and things like that make you feel great.

“We started back training at Ballast Bank on Tuesday, in the pouring rain, but it was great. If I didn’t enjoy it, I wouldn’t do it.”

Do you know someone special like Eddie who's made a difference in the community? Nominations for the Press' Community Champions Awards close on Sunday, April 10, so don't delay! Click here to nominate.