A TESTIMONIAL match will be held in honour of a Tullibody youth football coach this weekend.

The game is being organised by ex-members of the former Forth Valley Football Club, which had its home ground in town, and will be held at Lornshill Academy on Saturday with kick-off at 1pm.

Those heading along are hoping to honour the club's Joe Smith and his good lady Agnes, who had been involved in working with young talent for “25 happy years”, before retiring in 2002.

Joe used to be a janitor at Abercromby Primary School and was involved in coaching kids within the school as well as in the club, which had teams between U12 and U21.

He ran the U21 squad and worked with hundreds of talented youngsters, a number of whom progressed into senior ranks, joining clubs like Dunfermline, St Johnstone, Falkirk, Stenhousemuir and of course the Wasps. They won almost everything there is to win in the Fife league and beyond, only missing out on the Scottish Cup.

Andy Russell, who used to help out at the club, said Joe was well-respected and a true gentleman, who had time for everyone, adding: “Forth Valley (FC) would not have been what they were without him.”

Mr Smith, whose wife Agnes was also “deeply involved” in the club, said he was “quite honoured” when he learned about this Saturday's match.

He believes playing the game has the power to change people, explaining: “What I always thought about football – it is a great character builder. There were a lot of lads from poorer backgrounds, it worked them into really nice, fine, hard-working men and I believe football does that, I'm a great believer in that.”

The 76-year-old also told the Advertiser that he had a lot of “great years” with the team, which had so many nice people involved.

The club originally started in 1977 by Mick Ginelly from Valleyfield along with Jim McPhail, Gregor McKenzie, Rab Bell and Peter Rankin, all from Alloa. The next year, a second team was started by Joe Smith, John Gordon, Walter Bess, Danny Crossan. They were joined by committee members Andy Russell, Billy Douglas, Willie McLeod, Davy Press and Tommy Roy.

“The Valley” was very successful thanks to the great work of the coaches over the years, including Eddie Brown, Tommy Roy, Jock Reid, Kenny Shand and former St Johnston player Clark Campbell.

Mr Smith said the club received tremendous support from Alloa Athletic, sponsors John Sinclair Haulage, John McParland Double Glazing, John Friel of the Newsagents on Tron Court, Donald Drysdale of Tron Café and CA Models in Stirling.

In 2002, Joe and Agnes decided to call it a day and retired from football. It is understood the club folded the following year.

Saturday's match will be followed up with a buffet and disco night at Peppe's in Alloa.