Thursday, 03 June 2004.
Groundsmen are the unsung heroes of the grassroots game and The FA highlights their contribution and encourages their development through its annual Groundsman of the Year Awards.
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 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 three Feeders
- Local Authority Award
- National League System (Level 3) Award - for clubs that play on enclosed grounds
Judging has taken place over the past few months, and below TheFA.com lists the County and Regional winners from the North, North West and West Midlands, with the regional winners taking their place at the National Awards lunch, to be held in September.
North West & West Midlands Region Level 3 and below clubs County Awards
Birmingham FA
Idris Elms (Leamington)
Cheshire FA
David Barnes (Christleton)
Hereford FA
Christopher Crowther (Bromyard Town)
Lancashire FA
Tom Watson (Lostock St Gerards)
Liverpool FA
Steve Phillips (Formby)
Manchester FA
Ian Keymer (Cadishead Sports)
Staffordshire FA
Derek Trafford (Stone Dominoes)
Worcestershire FA
Tim Phillips (Perrywood)
Local Authority Category County Awards
Birmingham FA
Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Cheshire FA
Vale Royal Borough Council
Hereford FA
Hereford Council
Lancashire FA
Wigan Council
Staffordshire FA
Lichfield District Council
Level 3 and below clubs Regional Awards North West & West Midlands Winner
Derek Trafford, Stone Dominoes FC
Local Authority Category Regional Awards North West & West Midlands Winner
Wigan Council
North Region Level 3 and below clubs County Awards
Durham FA
Tommy Porter (Durham City)
East Riding FA
John Dodds (Stamford Bridge)
North Riding FA
Ian Anderson and John Yates (Bedale Athletic)
Sheffield & Hallamshire FA
Damien Wormald (Parkgate)
West Riding FA
John Beswick (Barnoldswick Town)
Westmorland FA
Ronald Holmes (Kirkby Stephen)
Local Authority Category County Awards
Durham FA
Peterlee Town Council
West Riding FA
Harrogate Borough Council
Northumberland FA
Northumberland County Council
Level 3 and below clubs Regional Awards North Region Winner
Tommy Porter (Durham City)
Local Authority North Region Winner
Harrogate Borough Council
TheFA.com will bring the final winners from London, the South East, East Anglia and the East Midlands over the next few days.