2018 awards winners

2018 Somerset FA Awards Winners

We paid thanks to the hard working volunteers in our County at our Annual Awards Ceremony, held on July 19th at Somerset County Cricket ground. 
 
The evening was an opportunity for Somerset FA to recognise and reward outstanding contribution and achievement to football from Leagues, Clubs and Volunteers within Somerset over the last 12 months. 
 
With around 120 people in attendance, the evening was formally opened by Somerset FA Chairman Pete Hockley. Awards were presented within nineteen different categories on the evening, categories were sponsored by McDonalds through The FA’s Grassroots Football Awards, and selected awards were also sponsored by Ivan & Rendall and Co Accountants.
 
Special guests on the evening included a number of FA staff and Somerset FA’s Board of Directors. 
 
The first two awards were for Charter Standard Club of the Year and Charter Standard League of the Year. Winners in each category were Huish Tigers from Taunton (Club) & Somerset Ability Counts League (League) 
 
The Grounds Team of the Year Award was won by Isle of Wedmore, while John Martin of Barrington FC won the Groundsman of the Year Award.
 
Volunteer of the Year went to Paul Landon from the Taunton Sunday Men’s League for his outstanding work and commitment this season and Young Volunteer of the Season went to Georgia Ferdinando from Weston Super Mare.
 
The Respect Award went to the Taunton & District Men’s Saturday League for their excellent work in implementing the new player sin bin pilot this season. The League is one of Somerset’s leading Charter Standard Leagues and goes from strength to strength each season.
 
Grassroots Coach of the year went to Phil Williams from Clevedon United Junior FC. Grassroots Supporter of the Year went to Lee Ashman from Park Knowle.
 
Grassroots Match Official of the year went to Ian Harley from Yeovil for his dedication and services to all aspects of refereeing in the county.
 
Young Referee of the Season went to the very impressive Jack Bromham from Glastonbury. Andrew Hobbs from Midsomer Norton took home the Referee of the Season award, while Martin Peters from Knowle was awarded the prestigious Keith Buller Outstanding Achievement in Refereeing Award.
 
Secretary of the Season (sponsored by Ivan Rendall & Co) went to Alan Cooper from Cheddar FC.
 
Welfare Officer of the Season went to Paula Wills from Ilchester Youth.
 
Disability Club of the Season (Sponsored by Ivan Rendall & Co) went to Virgin Care FC. Roxanne Found & Joanna Williams (both of Clevedon United Junior FC) jointly picked up Disability Volunteer of the Season for their time and efforts within Disability Football in Clevedon over the last season.
 
The grassroots recognition award went to three individuals: Grace Channing and Chris Whitburn (both from Pen Mill FC in Yeovil) and Mike Dear (Whitchurch Sports).
 
Adrian Carver (Mid Somerset League), Bob & Ruth Brunt (Perry Street Football League), Bob Flaskett (Weston St Johns), Ken Pearson (Taunton), Ian Madge (referee) and Jon Cox (Evercreech Rovers) were all awarded the Services to Football award (sponsored by Ivan Rendall & Co) for their huge contribution to local football over the years. 
 
The evening was closed by Somerset FA Director of Football Development – Bob Hemburrow. 
 
Somerset FA Chief Executive Jon Pike said:

"I would like to congratulate all of the winners on their thoroughly deserved awards. 

"Tonight we have once again seen the very best of volunteers in football in Somerset recognised and rewarded. They have all done an outstanding job in their particular field and I am pleased that tonight we can acknowledge them and congratulate them on their achievement. 

"While tonight we have recognised the very best of our volunteers they represent the all of our volunteer workforce throughout the grassroots game in our county; we are fortunate that we have so many volunteers who give of their time and effort freely so that grassroots football can both take place and grow. I believe we have a very strong grassroots game in Somerset and that is almost all due to our volunteers.

"Along with our winners here tonight I would like to thank them all.

"I would also like to congratulate all of our clubs and referees on the past season, we have had numerous successful teams and individuals and while there is not time to mention them all I would like to highlight Taunton Town FC who won promotion to the Southern League Premier Division and Street FC for their promotion to the Southern League in what was for them a record breaking season.

"I would also like to thank McDonalds for their support of the National Awards and to Ivan Rendall & Co Accountants and Fleet line Markers for their support of our county awards; along with our other partners, their continued support of Grassroots football is greatly appreciated”
 
Pictures were taken of all winners throughout the evening and can be found on our Flickr account

Photos