Honour for Annan boss

Jun 3 2009 by Kieran Westbrook, Dumfries Standard Wednesday

ANNAN boss Harry Cairney has rounded off a great season by winning a special accolade at the Irn Bru Scottish Football League Awards.

Cairney won the Phenomenal Contribution of the Season Award, for his playing days in the league as well as his involvement this season.

And for Cairney it was a nice way to end a memorable season.

He said: “I was absolutely delighted.

“To get recognition like this from the SLF is something very special, and it was a nice bonus.

“It made sense of a phone call I received a few days beforehand from Irn Bru.

“He told me he was phoning about the manager of the year award but ended up asking me more about my playing career.”

Cairney attended the award ceremony in Glasgow on Thursday night, hoping for a shot at the manager of the year award.

But after that prize went to Dumbarton’s Jim Chapman who led his side to promotion, Cairney thought that was as close to an award as he was to get this year.

Cairney said: “Henry (McLelland) had a whiff that I might be in line for an award, and we thought it might have been the manager award.

“But after that was announced, they started talking about a special award.

“And after hearing for a few seconds, I starting thinking ‘that sounds a lot like me’.

“So it was a very nice surprise.”