Friday�s Local Hero: A negative connotation is a stubborn stain to remove. The residents of Drumchapel, the maligned area in the north of Glasgow, know that only too well.

A negative connotation is a stubborn stain to remove. The residents of Drumchapel, the maligned area in the north of Glasgow, know that only too well.

The vast housing estate that comprises much of the district is often offered as a precis of the social problems that scar parts of the city. Crime, drugs and deprivation are considered the area's main industries by those with only a fleeting knowledge of life in what is affectionately called "the Drum".

Terry McLernon is determined to alter that unappealing image.

The 49-year-old native wants his community to be known, instead, for table tennis.

The gregarious Glaswegian has spent almost 20 years following his quest. In 1989 he founded the Drumchapel Table Tennis Club with little more than a single, battered table and two scabby bats. Now, somewhere in the region of 300 kids use the 40 tables scattered around the estate at least once a week - many of them more regularly - as part of the myriad competitions and leagues run by the club.

His claim that "everybody in Drumchapel has played in our club at some time" may seem fanciful, but McLernon's efforts have been felt all across the area and beyond.

"The scheme gets a bad name but there are people here doing good things," insists a man who is also Table Tennis Scotland's head of coaching and development. "It's a community club where everyone can play, no matter how good or bad. It makes for a great atmosphere, so much so that people travel 50 miles to play here and are proud to do so."

Part of the attraction, although he would never admit as much, is McLernon. While he has stepped back from frontline coaching, leaving it to the likes of his son Terry and Ryan Jenkins, the elite coach and current Commonwealth champion, the founder remains the figurehead. Indeed, his willingness to accept anyone into the club, regardless of ability, experience or background, and his honest assessments, have earned him the sobriquet God'.

"After six or seven months, I'll tell them where they'll go in the game," insists McLernon, a full-time coach with Glasgow City Council and Drumchapel LIFE, a healthy living organisation. "I'm not going to build up their hopes if I don't think they can be a success. But all the kids are given opportunities to go on trips and be involved in something that can change their lives."

For many members one such chance comes this weekend in the West of Scotland Open. Held in Holyrood Sports Centre, the country's premier table tennis tournament has attracted an impressive field, but will be tinged with sadness as a consequence of the death earlier this month of Andy Fleming, McLernon's mentor and a former doyen of the sport in the west of Scotland. "Andy subtly, manipulatively taught me everything I knew without telling me,"

McLernon confesses with a chuckle. "We're going to have two pages in the programme dedicated to him as well as a speech because he was a fantastic guy who gave so much time to so many kids."

His pupil is continuing the selfless work. A self-confessed daft boy', McLernon was involved in the usual scrapes until he walked into a local youth club and was handed a bat. He has yet to let go of it and has been rewarded with a fulfilling career that has encompassed medal-winning performances at the Island Games and a stint officiating at the Special Olympics in his home city.

Now McLernon is trying to provide others with a similar route out of trouble. Along with daughter Linda, he runs breakfast, lunchtime and after school clubs in his own community and is preparing to do the same in neighbouring Scotstoun, Knightswood and Yoker next month. The establishment of the only primary school league in the country has fostered a real sense of competition and pride.

Many youngsters have secured apprenticeships or college or university places and have to be practically thrown out of the club each evening. The facilities are available seven nights a week but most of the members - they compete in all divisions of the British League, including the Premier, as Drumchapel - would use them eight nights a week if they could, according to McLernon.

"We can't save them all, but we can save some," he vows, albeit with the caveat that increased funding could help. "Give kids discipline and direction in sport and they'll behave. People say kids aren't interested but that's nonsense. If you provide it for them, kids will play and if we help a handful over a year it's worth it for the change in their lives."

And it is worth it, for the removal of the stain on Drumchapel's reputation.