LATE Pars director Margaret Ross has been named 'Fan of the Year' in the Scottish Football Supporters Association's (SFSA) inaugural fans' awards.

Margaret, who tragically passed away last month, was posthumously given the award at the weekend following the vote that was open to SFSA's membership of almost 65,000.

The SFSA is a not-for-profit, members' body that is open to everyone, whether they are individuals, supporters groups or affiliates.

They canvassed members for their first awards in December and more than 1,000 cast their votes in categories ranging from player of the year, goal of the year, best travelling support and even best referee.

The prestigious 'Fan of the Year' accolade was given to Margaret and Drew Main, of the Pars Supporters Trust, said: "Margaret Ross was one of the driving forces behind the inception of the Pars Supporters Trust in 2004 and, after the successful acquisition of our club by Pars United in 2013, in which the Trust played such a pivotal role, it seemed fitting that Margaret should take up her seat on the Board of DAFC on behalf of the PST.

"She worked tirelessly for her beloved Pars, involving herself in several of the groups within the Pars family, not just the Pars Supporters Trust. It is testament to Margaret that the PST has become one of the largest Supporters Trusts in the country, but she never lost sight of ensuring the best interests of the fans were always close at heart.

"I'm sure everyone at DAFC will be extremely proud that Margaret has been recognised in this way and her award will be given pride of place at East End Park."

Margaret, who passed away on December 16, became a Pars supporter after returning from the United States to live in Limekilns in the 1980s.

In 2004, she became the first chair of the Pars Supporters Trust, having registered it and recruited a group of founder members to help finance its set-up as a co-operative company as the concept of supporters' trusts was emerging in the UK.

It has gone on to provide almost £250,000 towards the club's survival and development and, as Dunfermline's financial problems began to bite in 2012, Margaret and the PST played an active role in the successful bid by Pars United to rescue the club from administration.

She was subsequently appointed to the board of directors and co-ordinated the club's volunteer programme.

The SFSA's Paul Goodwin added: "The first ever Scottish football fans’ awards, run by the Scottish Football Supporters Association, have come up with some worthy winners as well has having some fun too. Everyone has an opinion about who and what was the best during the year but what is clear is that every winner was voted for by fans of different clubs."