Northamptonshire FA announce local 2019 FA and McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards winners at annual awards evening

Northamptonshire County FA hosted its 2019 FA and McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards evening at Northampton ON Chenecks on Thursday 27 June, with 10 awards being handed out to the outstanding volunteers, leagues and clubs who dedicated their time and effort to grassroots football in Northamptonshire during the 2018/19 season.

Hosted by Northamptonshire FA’s Executive Officer, Sarah Bentley, the awards evening provided an opportunity for Northamptonshire FA to celebrate the fantastic work that goes on within the county and say a big thank you to the volunteers who help to make grassroots football in Northamptonshire a safe, fun and inclusive environment. 

After nominations were submitted by clubs, leagues, schools and other local organisations, a judging panel assessed the nominations whilst taking into consideration The FA’s PRIDE values of Progression, Respect, Inclusion, Determination and Excellence.

The 2019 Northamptonshire FA Grassroots Football Award winners are as follows:

• Grassroots Grounds Team of the Year: Tony Sanders, East Barton United

• We Only Do Positive Respect Award: Northampton & District Youth Alliance League

• Grassroots Supporter of the Year: Jake Nash, Bugbrooke St. Michaels FC

• Grassroots Rising Star of the Year: Cameron Marshall

• Grassroots Project of the Year: Sands United

• Grassroots Volunteer of the Year: Dan Beaman

• Grassroots Coach of the year: Matthew Goude, JK Blisworth FC

• Grassroots Match Official of the Year: Dan Wood 

• Grassroots Club of the Year: Peterborough Northern Star FC

• Grassroots League of the Year: Peterborough & District Junior Alliance Football League

The judging panel also wanted to recognise the achievements and contributions of several highly commended nominees, who just missed out on winning at this year’s Grassroots Football Awards.

Those highly commended nominees were Neil Conroy, Chris Barton, Cameron Holmes, Beth Sibley, Sarah Jessiman, Chris Rowland, Earls Barton United FC, Northampton Town Community Trust and the Northants Senior Youth League.

Sarah Bentley, Northamptonshire FA Executive Officer, said: “I was so impressed with the quality of applications for this year’s awards. It was an absolute honour to host the evening and hear about some of the amazing work our volunteers, supporters, referees, clubs, leagues and teams do to help provide a safe and fun environment for people to play football in the county.

“As we look ahead to next year, I’m committed to helping the team at the NFA get out to support our volunteers with all aspects of making football happen safely. Safeguarding is an absolute priority for us and we’ll be training our volunteers to deliver on our safeguarding responsibilities at training and on matchday.”

Northamptonshire FA’s county winners will now be put forward for the national FA awards, with the national awards ceremony set to take place at Wembley Stadium on FA Community Shield final day (Sunday 4 August).

GALLERY