The 45-year-old moved to Bishopbriggs 15 years ago following his marriage to Jacqueline, and the couple have has two children, Daniel and Sarah. Oliver joined Glasgow City Council after graduating 23 years ago and works for the authority as a Geographical Information Officer.

How did you get involved in football?

Voluntary work is always something that has interested me. I was involved with the scouts for many years and also served on Balgrayhill Community Council. I also did a stint as a DJ raising money for local initiatives in Balgrayhill.

I have also run several marathons, including the very first Glasgow marathon, for a local charity.

With football, I took charge of an amateur team in the Springburn area, although mainly in the hope that it would get me a game on a Saturday.

I also helped run a football supporters bus, but I will keep my allegiances to myself!

How did you interest in youth football develop?

Once my son became interested in football, it was obvious I would become involved.

I took him to a local football academy, and coach Andy Bonar soon talked me into joining.

Andy formed EDFC in 2002, and I joined him.

How has the club developed in the last six years?

It has now grown to include 22 teams.

There are nine at 11-a-side level for 12-17 year-olds, and 13 teams playing seven-a-side football for 8-12 year olds.

The soccer academy caters for children aged from 4½-8.

Overall, we have somewhere approaching 450 kids and 50 coaches qualified at varying levels, and we are still growing.

All our coaches are fully SFA qualified and Disclosure Scotland certified as well as being trained in first aid.

We organised our first tournament at Allan Glens last May and over 750 children took part, watched by 1500 spectators.

What is the ethos of East Dunbartonshire Football Club?

EDFC has quite a unique policy of all inclusiveness. We do not discriminate in terms of ability up to participation in 11-a-side football at the age of 12, and in some cases beyond.

This is quite unusual in youth football, where we feel the emphasis to win and 'cherry pick' players is often carried out at too early an age.

We believe in the ethos of youth development and recognise that some children take longer to develop both skills and confidence.

It is this ethos which has helped our club grow so quickly and successfully to become one of the largest youth football clubs in the West of Scotland.

Over time, we firmly believe that we will profit from this strategy which was instrumental in the founding of our club.

A good example of this is our under-14 squad, which reached the quarter final of the Scottish Cup this year with several players who where discarded by other clubs as young as 10.

What is the best part of your role?

I seem to be spending more and more time with the administration side of the club, but the coaching is the most rewarding aspect.

Teaching a kid something at training and seeing him or her put it into practice in a match is a great feeling.

How would you like to see youth football develop in East Dunbartonshire?

I would like to see more and cheaper facilities made available for voluntary youth work in Bishopbriggs and across East Dunbartonshire.

We now use lets in Glasgow for eight of our teams as there is nothing available for them locally at the moment.

I am also a great supporter of summer football. My own squad have not played a home match at Colquhoun Park since October. With the council closing grass pitches at the end of May, this leaves a two month window to complete matches.

I firmly believe the council should have a serious look at playing field provision. Ash pitches such as Etive and the one across from the Leisuredome have been unused for years.

What do you do in your spare time?

I don't get much spare time now, but if I do, I enjoy running, swimming, hill walking and, of course, watching football. And I still attempt to play on rare occasions.

Getting to know you

First Record: Virginia Plain, Roxy Music
Favourite TV programme: Most documentaries and factual programmes
Book Currently Reading: Tony Benn Diaries
Favourite Holiday Destination: Crete or Scottish Highlands
Famous Person you would most like to meet: Pele