Enniskillen Rangers club man, Roy Cathcart, was inducted into the Fermanagh and Western Hall of Fame at the annual awards dinner held at the Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen last week.

The local football stalwart, who was chairman of the Fermanagh and Western Association for 18 years was celebrated at the dinner and received his award from current chairman, Neil Jardine.

In his speech which covered the many achievements of Mr. Cathcart spanning a career that began as a 16-year-old, Jardine said: "Roy has been an excellent ambassador for football, men's and women's, at local, national and international level through his administrative career and although he is now enjoying his second retirement, his ongoing commitment to Enniskillen Rangers is unbowed, every club needs selfless individuals like Roy to keep the wheels rolling but we all know that they are very hard to find.

"I have shared a large part of my journey in football with Roy, which has undoubtedly been to my benefit and I’m sure everyone here tonight would concur with that opinion."

Reflecting on the work and development Mr. Cathcart has done both at a local level and internationally, Jardine continued: "

"Mr Cathcart, as he was known in his professional life, took early retirement in 2011 to further pursue his two loves in life, football and travel; even better was the fact that he was going to be paid to travel and watch football!

"It was at this time that Roy took up his appointment as a UEFA Match Observer, covering 91 games in the twelve years up to his retirement on age grounds last year. The role is one of great importance and authority as the Match Observer acts as the eyes and ears of the governing body at matches under their jurisdiction, ensuring that the organisation and running of the game is carried out according to the regulations, filing reports after the match detailing any incidents that may have occurred.

"There were many memorable moments during this time such as ensuring Atletico Madrid Manager Diego Simeone behaved himself at a Champions League game whilst serving a touch-line ban and going toe to toe with Unai Emery during his time with Villareal. Roy is quick to point out the opportunities that football can provide, a young cub from Florencecourt in charge of Ajax v Barcelona at the Johan Cruyff Arena in the Champions League.

"I mentioned that Roy was now getting paid to travel and watch football but that is only partly correct. The fees and expenses paid by UEFA for these matches now have a visible end product as anyone who has visited The Ball Range can see.

"Roy made an early decision that this money would be used to provide improved facilities at the ground and to date has built five spectator shelters and the impressive players’ lounge, which also acts as a repository for the many souvenirs collected on his travels around Europe.

"It is safe to say that Roy is a driving force behind the development of The Ball Range and the club itself, he can be seen every Saturday with the camera recording the events on the pitch and posting the results on Facebook along with many other varied and informative content, not forgetting the fact that he has personally laundered every Rangers kit for the past 30 years.

"His current role is Treasurer, although you would be hard-pressed to find an administrative or other role that he has not, or continues to fulfil.

"Roy still maintains one role in football outside of Enniskillen Rangers, that is as Chairman of the Stadium Development Company, the subsidiary of the IFA responsible for the operation of the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park.

"This is a position appointed by the main IFA Board, and although he was reluctant to take the role at first, he has yet again proved more than capable of leading that body."

Seamus Bradley was awarded the Merit Award for his actions at a match last September, where he undoubtedly saved the life of a young man who had collapsed on a pitch beside where his team was playing at the Valley Leisure Centre in Belfast. A young Cloughmills FC player collapsed during their match against St James Swifts, Seamus quickly made his way over to the incident and with the club's defibrillator as well as providing vital medical assistance worked on the player until the ambulance arrived.