The Institute of Groundsmanship have long have long recognised the achievements of those Groundstaff employed by clubs in the Premier and Football League, and in 2001 The FA decided it was time to recognise the unglamorous but vital work done by those who seed, cut and care for what might be called the game's true grass-roots.

The FA Groundsman of the Year Awards recognize the effort with winners receiving an engraved vase, pennant and travel vouchers for a European Break and motivate raised standards.

The annual award categories are;

- Nationwide Conference Award
- UniBond League Award 
- Dr Martens League Award
- Ryman League Award
- National League System (Level 2) Award - overall winner of above 3 Feeders

-  Local Authority Award
-  National League System (Level 3) Award - for clubs that play on enclosed grounds

Judging has taken place over the past two months, and TheFA.com over the next week will bring you details of all the County and Regional Winners of the 2003/04 Awards, with the Regional Winners taking their place at the National Awards lunch, to be held in September.

South Region – Results

Level 3 and below clubs category County Awards Winners

Berks & Bucks County FA
Robin Taylor (Buckingham Town FC) 

Dorset County FA
Derek Tapper (Bournemouth Sports Club)

Guernsey County FA
Paul Franklin (Belgrave Wanderers FC)
    
Hampshire County FA
Neville Chard (Bisterne United FC)     

Jersey County FA
Nick Allison (First Tower United FC)    

Somerset County FA
Dennis Bishop (Staplegrove FC)
      
Wiltshire County FA
Tony Whatley (Shrewton United FC)   

Gloucestershire County FA
Derek Walker (AXA Town FC)

Local Authority Category County Awards Winners

Dorset County FA
East Dorset District Council

Guernsey County FA
States of Guernsey

Hampshire County FA
Fawley Parish Council

Jersey County FA
States of Jersey

Wiltshire County FA
West Wiltshire District Council

Level 3 and below clubs Regional Award

South Region Winner
Neville Chard (Bisterne United FC)

Local Authority Regional Awards

South Region Winner
States of Jersey