THE former doctor for Clydebank Football Club — and the Scotland international team — has been inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame.

Professor Stewart Hillis OBE passed away in July last year, but his family received the honour on Sunday, October 18, in recognition of the man who acted as Scotland team doctor for 228 matches and enjoyed a 40 year career in football.

Son Andrew picked up the award during the ceremony at Hampden Park, joined on stage by his mother Anne. Another son, Alisdair, was also present to mark the occasion which saw Professor Hillis’ successor as Scotland doctor, Dr John MacLean, present the award to the Hillis family.

The recognition followed a long and distinguished involvement with the beautiful game that also included a 27 year spell as team doctor for Clydebank FC — where Professor Hillis’ fee came in the form of a turkey every Christmas. He also held the position of medical adviser to Rangers.

Professor Hillis convinced the Scottish FA of the need to set up a sports medicine centre in the refurbished Hampden Park, the first of its kind in a national stadium. In 1986 he became a member of UEFA’s medical committee, later holding the post of vice chairman.

He stepped down as national team doctor at the age off 66 and was awarded an OBE in the 2010 New Year’s Honour List.

Professor Hillis was also one of Scotland’s leading cardiologists and a recognised expert in sudden death in sport. He was instrumental in setting up a heart screening programme for sportsmen and women in Scotland, a legacy which still continues with supported from the Scottish FA.

Dr MacLean, who presented the award, said: “Professor Stewart Hillis was a sports medicine doctor before the practice of sports medicine existed. During his 37 years working for the Scottish Football Association he was a trailblazer in the development of the care received by footballers and other athletes and has been an integral figure in the development of sports medicine.

“His legacy in the game can be seen in his work as vice president of the UEFA medical committee where his work on concussion management, anti-doping and screening for sudden death syndrome have led to standards and protocols adopted across world football.

“His legacy is also in academia. He developed courses in sport and exercise medicine for the University of Glasgow and in doing so helped train the next generation of sports doctors.

“Quite simply, he was a colossus in sports and football medicine.” Away from football, Professor Hillis was a lifelong member and supporter of the Church of Scotland, serving as an elder at Abbotsford Church, which became linked with Dalmuir Barclay Church.

Other inductees at the hall of fame dinner included former Scotland manager, Ally MacLeod, former Arsenal and Tottenham manager George Graham and Maurice Malpas. A special special was also carried out in honour of existing hall of fame member, Craig Brown.