The Awards were set up to recognise the contribution of these unsung heroes of the grass roots game and encourage the development of groundmanship.

All the winners were delighted with their achievements. David Campion of Willand Rovers said: "At our level of football it is good to see that people who devote their time - unpaid - are still thought of and rewarded."

Each County FA nominate their top Groundsman in three categories: Step 5 and 6 Clubs, Step 7 and below Clubs and Local Authorities.

The County winners are then visited by industry experts from the Institute of Groundsmanship who judge the Regional Winners.

The Judges are not only looking at the quality of the pitch, but also take in to consideration the Groundsman knowledge, the resources available to him, how often the pitch is used and whether he is full or part time.

The Regional winners will now go forward for the National Awards which will be announced at the National Awards ceremony in September to be held at the Sports and Leisure Technology Exhibition at Windsor Racecourse. At this ceremony winners from Steps 1-4 will also be invited to collect their awards.

The Full List of County and Regional Winners:

County Winners

Steps 5 and 6 Clubs

Bedfordshire Ivor Kennet Cranfield Utd FC
Berks and Bucks Paddy Burton Didcot Town FC
Birmingham Brian Harvey Boldmere St Michaels
Cheshire George Yates Alsager Town FC
Devon John Carnell Willand Rovers
Durham Tom Porter Durham City AFC
Essex Vanessa Smith Tiptree United FC
Hampshire Alan Dare Christchurch FC
Herefordshire John Leek Pegasus Juniors
Huntingdonshire Les Kester St Neots Town
Lancashire Robert Bailey Padiham FC
Liverpool James Cahill Ashton Town FC
Manchester Andrew Harney Flixton AFC
Middlesex Adam Rowlands Hanwell TowN fc
Norfolk Peter Smith Watton United FC
Northamptonshire Cecil Banham Northampton Spencer FC
Shropshire Glyn Davies Shifnal Town FC
Staffordshire Gareth Evans Rushall Olympic FC
Suffolk Adrian Smith AFC Sudbury
Sussex Peter Potter Horsham YMCA FC
Westmorland Bob Airey Coniston FC

Step 7 and Below Clubs

Bedfordshire Pat Melarkey Turvey FC
Berks and Bucks Derek Whitehall Great Horwood
Cornwall David Baker Penryn Athletic FC
Devon Robert Mitchelmore Horrabridge Rangers Sports Ass.
Durham David Evans Ryton FC
Cambridgeshire Colin Miller West Wratting FC
Cheshire Robert Beadle Willaston White Star
East Riding John Dodds Stamford BrIdge FC
Essex Peter Sherwood Frenford Senior FC
Guernsey Dave Le Noury Vale Recreation FC
Hampshire Neville Chard Bisterne United FC
Herefordshire Robert Preedy Ledbury Town FC
Huntingdonshire Alan Bailey Somersham Town FC
Jersey Nick Allison First Tower United
Lancashire Lyndon Moore Lytham St Annes FC
Lincolnshire Alf Smith Winterton Rangers FC
Liverpool Leslie Miller Waterloo Dock FC
Middlesex Mike Tew GSK Leisure Club
Norfolk John Riches Mulbarton United FC
North Riding Stuart Vickers Nunthorpe Athletic FC
Northamptonshire John Brett Roade FC
Northumberland Sidney Urwin Wark FC
Nottinghamshire Richard Johnson Boots Athletic FC
Sheffield and Hallamshire Alan Jeeves HSBC Sports Club
Shropshire Simon Butler Highley Welfare FC
Somerset Colin Howell South Cheriton FC
Staffordshire Patrick Selvey Bloxwich Town FC
Suffolk Gordon Scotchmer Framlingham Town FC
West Riding David Fletcher Elland FC

Local Authorities

Cambridgeshire Waterbeach Parish Council (Kevin Stubley)
Cheshire Wirral Borough Council (Gary Bland)
Devon Plymouth City Council (Dave Rowland)
Durham Gateshead Council (David Watson0
Essex Southend Borough Council (Steve Jiggins)
Hampshire Fawley Parish Council (Peter Stevens)
Herefordshire Herefordshire Council (Christopher Nicholas)
Huntingdonshire Hoywell-Cum Needingworth Parish Council (John Gray)
Liverpool Liverpool City Council (Peter Conroy)
North Riding HMP Kirklevington Grange (Russell Bates)
Northamptonshire Peterborough City Council (Derek Vernum)
Northumberland Newcastle City Council (John Davison)
Shropshire Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Coucnil (Wayne Lumbard)
Staffordshire Lichfield District Council (Kevin Yates)
Guernsey States of Guernsey (Shane Moon)
Jersey States of Jersey (Steve Landick)
West Riding University of Leeds (David Evans)
Wiltshire Ballards Ash Sports Ground (Andy Kinch)

Regional Winners

London and South East

Step 7 and Below : Mike Tew GSK Leisure Club
Steps 5 and 6: Adam Rowlands Hanwell Town FC
Local Authority: Southend Borough Council (Steve Jiggins)

North

Step 7 and Below: Alan Jeeves HSBC Sports Club
Steps 5 and 6: Tom Porter Durham City AFC
Local Authorities Gateshead Council (David Watson)

East and East Midlands

Step 7 and Below: Gordon Scotchmer Framlingham Town FC
Steps 5 and 6: Adrian Smith AFC Sudbury
Local Authority: Peterborough City Council (Derek Vernum)

North West and West Midlands

Step 7 and Below: Patrick Selvey Bloxwich Town FC
Steps 5 and 6: John Leek Pegasus Juniors FC
Local Authority: Liverpool City Council (Peter Conroy)

South and South West

Step 7 and Below: David Baker Penryn Athletic FC
Steps 5 and 6: Paddy Burton Didcot Town FC
Local Authority: Plymouth City Council (Dave Rowland)