Nairn County fan receives British Empire Medal in the New Year Honours list for helping club raise money for over five decades.
ALEX Mackintosh says it is a huge honour to be recognised in the New Year’s Honours list for supporting the club he has loved for over five decades.
The 73-year-old received the British Empire Medal for dedicating over 50 years as a volunteer to Highland League club Nairn County.
Mr Mackintosh, who lives in Nairn, first went to Station Park as a child with his father to support the Wee County in the Highland League.
It was to be the start of a lifelong love affair with County, as he joined the club’s committee as a volunteer when he was 21.
For 52 years, he helped raise money to pay for running costs at the club as it looked for success in the Highland League and cup competitions.
Speaking about receiving the BEM, Mr Mackintosh says he is not someone who usually chases the limelight, but was proud to receive such a prestigious accolade.
He said: “I am basically just a fan who wanted to raise money for his football club.
“I first started fundraising for the club in 1972 where I would organise raffles and help out with the stalls as well as knock on doors.
“I never played for Nairn County, as I only played welfare football, but I have been a fan since I was eight and would go to games with my Dad.
“To receive the BEM is not necessarily about me and it doesn’t cost the club anything either.
“I don’t usually like a fuss, and when I was offered the BEM, I wasn’t sure that I would accept it. But my wife insisted that I did as it is something to remember.
“I am over the moon to be recognised in this way.”
Mr Mackintosh raised money for Nairn County by organising dances in hotels and coffee mornings in the town.
He progressed to different forms of raising money, including organising and taking part in sponsored walks and the sale of football merchandise.
He also embarked on ambitious revenue raising projects such as attracting match and ball sponsors for the club’s home games.
He was also responsible for organising formal sports dinners which have raised tens of thousands of pounds and contributed to the town’s social scene.
During his career, Mr Mackintosh worked at the Windsor Hotel in Nairn as a restaurant manager and would later go on to work at Lifescan.
Mr Mackintosh is married to his second wife, Anna, and has four children, Havila, Kelly, Russell and Sara, as well as two grandchildren Lexie and Bradyn.
He says that he has had a lot of good memories volunteering and supporting Nairn County over the years.
But he said one moment stood out above all the rest which remains the only time it has happened in the club’s history.
He said: “Nairn County winning the league in the 1975/76 season is probably my favourite memory.
“The club nominated me for the honour and that means a lot to me.”
