Dale Garland receives his caricature from Carey Olsen’s Ian Beattie.

THERE were emotional scenes last night as Dale Garland was inducted into the Guernsey Sports Commission’s hall of fame.

Taking place during the Carey Olsen Sporting Achievement Awards night at Beau Sejour, the Great Britain international and Olympian was visibly taken aback by the whole thing.

And it came to a head when he concluded his heartfelt thank you speech with a story about an elderly man who wrote him a letter during the Manchester Commonwealth Games in 2002 saying how much he enjoyed watching him compete on television.

He also included a cheque for £50 in the envelope.

‘That sums up the people of Guernsey,’ said Garland, as he began to choke up.

Afterwards, a more composed Garland said: ‘It’s a huge honour to be considered as one of the top sportsmen ever in Guernsey.’

The big award of the night, the Guernsey Sports Commission Trophy for the most outstanding performer of the year, went to world number two bowler Alison Merrien, while Lee Merrien won the Richard Burton Salver for the outstanding sporting achievement of the year by a sportsman resident in Guernsey.