A community stalwart who dedicated much of his life to football coaching in the East Neuk has died.
Ernie Bryson passed away on Saturday at the age of 65.
Mr Bryson devoted many years of service to amateur team Pittenweem Rovers and around five decades of his life to youth football.
A spokesperson for Pittenweem Rovers said: “It is no exaggeration to say that generations of football players will have played under Ernie’s stewardship and his passing will be felt acutely by all who knew him.
“Our thoughts are with his brothers Robert and Alan and the family at this sad time.”
Mr Bryson attended Pittenweem Primary School and Waid Academy as a youth, and his passion for football shone through from an early age.
He was asked by friends to get a local youth team off the ground in 1967 and he dedicated more than two-thirds of his life to the game, tackling roles ranging from manager to groundsman.
Many of the players he coached went on to become professionals at clubs including Dundee, Raith Rovers and East Fife.
Ian Bruce, chairman of Pittenweem Rovers, said he will be sorely missed.
“If it hadn’t been for Ernie, hundreds and hundreds of kids in the East Neuk wouldn’t have played football,” he said.
“He’s been involved with Pittenweem Rovers and youth football since I can remember and he was quite a character.
“Lately he wasn’t involved so much through ill health but it’s fair to say that football was his life.”
Mr Bryson was awarded the Merit Award at the McDonald’s/Sunday Mail Grassroots Awards in partnership with the Scottish Football Association in 2006 an accolade chosen by former Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish and former Scotland boss Walter Smith, among others.
Mr Dalglish said: “Ernie’s dedication to the game of football has been nothing short of outstanding.
“The respect he is given by his players, past and present, is testament to his passion and commitment and he undoubtedly deserves this recognition.”