JON ROBERTSON stops for a second as he chews on his next words.

"I love it here," he eventually settles on, after a brief pause. "I absolutely love it and I don't think I would want to be anywhere else."

In a team of stars, it's rare the spotlight falls on the former Cowdenbeath man. 

But, on Saturday it was his time to shine as club chairman Mike Mulraney presented him with a plaque to recognise his 150 plus games for the club

Iain Flannigan, Scott Taggart, Andy Graham, and Steven Hetherington - so often at the forefront for the Wasps - were previously recognised and the Alloa supremo was full of praise for the core he believes sets the side apart from most teams in the country.

Alloa and Hillfoots Advertiser: Robertson in action during his time with Cowdenbeath Robertson in action during his time with Cowdenbeath

"They are good here and they look after you and help you out in anyway they can," Robertson says. "That's one of the biggest things when it comes to the success we have had.

"It starts from the chairman and it filters down to the gaffer and the boys on the park.

"We are fortunate to have some really decent players and we have a cracking changing room and a core that has managed to stay together.

"The boys we have added to that are always good lads as well."

Few would have expected the former St Mirren and Cowdenbeath player to have such a lasting impact in these parts when Jack Ross added him to the squad in 2016.

Alloa and Hillfoots Advertiser: Robertson was signed by Jack Ross along with Jamie Longworth Robertson was signed by Jack Ross along with Jamie Longworth

His move to Clacks was part of a double swoop which also saw the much-touted Jamie Longworth arrive, who was tipped to spearhead the Alloa attack that season.

The latter moved on after three goals in eight league starts, but it's a very different story for Robertson, who has thrived in the time since.

He has endeared himself as a utility man – although it would be doing him a disservice to say he's only that – and become part of the "Jack Ross Seven" who still make up the core of the Alloa squad today.

"It's massive that they recognise what you put in and the dedication that you put in," Robertson glances towards the purple box holding his award, which is sitting in the dugout next to the player as he talks to Advertiser Sport. "It's obviously not just me, but every single one of us.

"The boys up at Arbroath are the same. I do my shifts, so can be day shift, night shift, or even back shift, and I still come to training and put the work in.

"I'd like to think we are just as hard working as anyone, so it's nice to be recognised."

It's likely to be the last time Robertson is as close to his plaque as he jokes his daughter has a habit of making his awards her own – although, he says, this one is maybe just a wee bit too big for her to take to bed.

Between family life and his working life, Robertson knows he has his hands full.

But, the club has always given its players the space and understanding to live their lives and it's something the 30-year-old is grateful for.

"The place is well run; right from the kitman (Pat Dunne), to Joyce, who provides us with food after training, even in the winter nights when she should be in the house watching Emmerdale," he says.

"These wee things are fantastic and they do try and help you in anyway they can.

"They are good with me with my shifts when I sometimes can't make it to training and I have nothing but good things to say about the place.

"The chairman recognising that is a nice touch."