THERE are many stereotypical preconceptions about the modern professional footballer, particularly those at the top of the tree who ply their trade in the English Premiership.

They are arrogant. Selfish. They live in a moral vacuum. That may, to varying degrees, be true about some. But none of that applies to Steven Naismith.

Naismith, who forged his reputation at Kilmarnock, enhanced it at Rangers and polished it at Everton, has never forgotten his roots. Today we report that he is sponsoring the boys' club where it all began for him: Stewarton Annick FC will now proudly wear strips emblazoned with the logo of Dyslexia Scotland, the charity for which he is an ambassador, having struggled with the condition during his school days.

His remarks yesterday summed up his character: "I get to help the club I started playing for as a young boy," he said, "and their logo will carry the logo of an organisation I try to help as much as possible." This is no one-off, either, for the player also sponsors the Loaves and Fishes Christmas dinner for the homeless in Glasgow.

For the past month, the superstars of the game have been firmly in the spotlight. We are happy to acknowledge that there are champions at home, too.