FORMER Morton star Stuart Rafferty who played for some of the biggest names in football is retiring from his grassroots role.

Greenock Telegraph:

The Port Glasgow-born midfielder has served as the SFA development officer in Inverclyde for the last 20 years.

In that time he has opened up opportunities for thousands of youngsters to play the game while also helping give volunteers coaching qualifictions.

The 62-year-old recalls playing under the late great Allan McGraw, as well as Ally MacLeod and has fond memories of working with former Scotland manager Craig Brown, who passed away last week.

Stuart, who lives in Gourock, said: "I just felt it was time to retire, I am very proud of my time as SFA development officer.

"We have a great set up in Inverclyde that will continue when I go. There is Active Schools and Morton in the Community.

"I have had so much out of the game it was great to give back. I enjoyed training coaches. It is so important we get it right.

"When I first started a lot of work was in schools but now it is mostly youth football clubs."

Greenock Telegraph:

Stuart first played with Gourock United and his talent was first spotted by legendary youth coach Reggie Scorer.

He went on to play with Port Glasgow Rangers before signing for Motherwell in 1978 when he was 17 playing under Ally MacLeod, fresh from his World Cup campaign in Argentina.

During a hugely impressive playing career with the Motherwell, Dundee, Dunfermline and then home to Morton in 1991 he has many memories of some of football's best characters.

In a career spanning three decades he played under Jock Wallace, Davie Hay, Archie Knox and Jim Leishman.

Stuart said: "They were fantastic. I mean I played with Morton when I was coming to the end of my career, but Allan McGraw, he was just a great man, no one had a bad word to say about him. He had great teams and brought through the youngsters."

Stuart has some great memories of big games.

He added: "I have scored a winner at both Ibrox and Parkhead so that is one to tell my grandchildren."

Paying tribute to former Scotland manager Craig Brown, Stuart said: "We knew he was ill, but it was so sad. He was a great character and he couldn't do enough for you.

"I could ask him to come to help with a coaching session and he would be there at a drop of a hat, even when he was Scotland manager."

Now as he looks ahead to retirement Stuart is looking forward to spending quality time with his wife Andrea, his daughters Faye, 36, Hayley, 34, and his squad of grandchildren Innes, four,  Bethany, three, Karina, 20 months, and Euan 18 months.

He said: "I think I will be busier than ever! It has been great to be a development officer first in Edinburgh and then Inverclyde.

"I have loved every minute of it."