Outstanding work in the development of youth football has seen Thornton Cleveleys FC receive The FA's highest accolade under the Charter Standard scheme with the nomination as the 'Community' Club of the Year.

The "Lancashire Double" (out of just four awards made) came with Barnoldswick Town FC winning the 'Standard' Club of the Year category.

The awards will be presented to club representatives at England's World Cup Qualifying Game against Wales at Old Trafford on Saturday 9th October.

As National winners the clubs will receive a plaque, a cheque for £250 and 10 footballs.

Roger De Nobrega, Clubs Football Development Officer for Lancashire FA said: "We are delighted that two of our Lancashire clubs have won a national award.

"The Charter Standard Scheme is designed to raise the quality and safety of football provision and reward good practise. Both clubs have excellent structures in place to encourage more people to play football and develop their skills and to enjoy the game in the right environment."

A delighted vice chairman of Thornton Cleveleys FC, Mark Bowley enthused, "We are delighted to receive this award. Since the club opened in its present form in September 2001 it has continued to improve due mainly to the hard work of its committee and members of the community of Thornton Cleveleys.

"The gaining of Charter Standard gave the club the opportunity to forge links with Blackpool Football Club, Wyre Borough Council and many of the local schools in the area.

"Special thanks must be given to Lancashire FA, N.P.L.Estates and Sportsmatch for their continuing support and without whose help this success would not have been possible."

On behalf of Barnoldswick Town FC chairman Ian Worswick and junior chairman Steve Hudson will proudly step forward at Old Trafford on October 9th to receive the award.

The club is an amalgamation over recent years of Salterworth Juniors, Barnoldswick Park Rovers and Barnoldswick United creating nine junior boys teams, two junior girls teams, a ladies team and three senior men's teams. A central part of the local community club volunteers coach free of charge in five schools.