Published: Thursday, 15th February, 2007 12:00pm

This one"s for my uncle

by Sportsdesk

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DUNFERMLINE"S newly-crowned sports personality of the year, Francis Smith, has dedicated the award to his uncle.

It was third time lucky for the 25-year-old Scottish champion hurdler, who has been nominated twice before for West Fife sport"s top award.

Smith was presented with the trophy at a packed ceremony at Dunfermline"s Glen Pavilion on Wednesday night after becoming the first athlete since the 1960s to be Scottish champion in both the 110 metres hurdles and the 400m hurdles during 2006.

Shortly after collecting the trophy from Dunfermline & West Fife Sports Council vice chairman Alan Kenney, an emotional Smith told Press Sport, 'It"s cracking to have won. Something my dad always said to me was that I had to go out there and perform to the best of my ability.

'I lost my uncle in November, he died of leukaemia, and he used to keep in touch with my dad to find out about my sporting achievements and those of my little brother, Calum, who plays for the Pars.

'This award is for him.'

Smith looked delighted when his name was read out and he said, 'I"ve been nominated the last two years so it"s good to win it. It"s good to see your achievements listed on the overhead screen. I had a really good summer last season and have carried it through into the winter season. Now I"m ready for the outdoor season.'

Smith, who lifted the Celtic Indoor Cup for Scotland in Cardiff a fortnight ago in his final indoor event of the season, is hoping to break the 51-second barrier this summer over the 400m hurdles.

Another chuffed winner on the night was Paul Murphy, who along with Shaun Marley, coached Hillfield Swifts under-13 football side to success during 2006, netting them the Rotary Club of Dunfermline junior team of the year award.

The Inverkeithing-based kids switched to the Fife development league recently and the move paid off as they became Scottish under-13 development champions.

'It"s a total shock and I"m still shaking,' said Paul, who picked up the trophy on behalf of the boys, who were at a training session.

'I was very surprised we won as I thought the Abbeyview bowlers also deserved something but it"s great to have the recognition.

'We reckon we are a big club as we must have more than 100 boys from under-sevens up to under-15s signed up but we don"t think a lot of people know about us.'

At the other end of the age scale, 71-year-old William McNair, Sir George Bruce Road, Oakley, was presented with the Services to Sport award after almost half a century dedicated to coaching West Fife golfers.

Even a triple heart bypass operation in 2001 failed to dent William"s enthusiasm for helping countless folk improve their golf.

'I"m totally amazed,' modest William told Press Sport after the ceremony. 'I"ve got an award for doing something I really like doing. There"s no words to explain how I feel.' A member of Saline Golf Club for 47 years, William was nine-time club champion but then packed his clubs away to help others improve their game.

Around seven of his former protégés are now on the professional tour, a source of immense pride, while since 1975, the club championship has been won by someone William"s taught every year bar three.

'That"s one of the reasons I stopped playing,' William laughed. 'I didn"t want to play against people I had taught. I was too competitive!'

Dalgety Bay West & Hillend councillor David Arnott also received a surprise award for his contribution to West Fife sport during his career in local government as he and his family are about to leave the area.

2006 nominations in full: Asda St Leonard"s Trophy – Eloise Barber (swimming), Ross McManus, (athletics), Kirsty Montignani (football), Aaron Murray (sailing), Craig Ogilvie (hockey), Craig Robinson (athletics), Callum Shaw (swimming). Benny Hutton Team Award – Carnegie Harriers ladies marathon; Dunfermline Curling Club team; Dunfermline RFC U18s Colts; Headwell Bowls Club ladies triples team. East Kilbride Sports Council Award – Rebecca Lee and Andrew Lindsay (both swimming). The Rotary Club of Dunfermline Junior Team Award – Abbeyview BC young bowlers; Aberdour Shinty Club U10s; Hillfield Swifts Football Club U13s; Pitreavie AAC U16s; Queen Anne High School U13s girls cross-country team. Services to Sport Award – John Hood (angling), William McNair (golf), Iain Taylor (athletics). Sports Festivals School of the Year 2006 – Pittencrieff Primary. Carnegie Dunfermline Trust Centenary Masters Award – Esther Linaker, Colin Mathieson, Pauline Walker (all athletics). Sports Personality Award – Sarah Ewing (bowls), Stephen McColl and Fraser McKenzie (both rugby), Andrew Rodgie (swimming), Francis Smith (athletics), Raymond Wilson (cycling).