Respect Awards 2011

The FA was once again delighted to recognise the winners of the 2011 Respect and Fair Play Awards across the professional game.

The Awards celebrate those leagues, clubs and individuals at all levels of the game that are supporting The FA’s Respect programme by driving up standards of behaviour on and off the pitch, supporting referees and promoting an awareness of fair play and respect amongst fans and players alike.

Chelsea Football Club achieved recognition for its disciplinary record during the 2010-11 season and was awarded a cheque for £30,000 to be donated to the Chelsea Foundation.

Sunderland Foundation’s Trainee Programme received a £20,000 boost from The FA thanks to the exemplary behaviour of the Premier League club’s supporters during the course of the season.

The cash donation will be put to use helping young people gain the skills, experience and qualifications necessary to find work through the charity’s Trainee Programme.

Watford Football Club, who picked up the 2011 Respect and Fair Play Award for their disciplinary record in the Championship, also received £10,000 for their Community Trust.

Elsewhere in the Football League, Rochdale FC were the proud recipients of their award and £10,000, thanks also to the club’s disciplinary record during the 2010-11 season. The club will invest its prize into sports science support for youth players at its Centre of Excellence.

Dermot Collins, The FA’s Respect manager, said: “The professional game is the shop window for the rest of football. So in the high pressure environment in which they play the winners of these Respect and Fair Play Awards - the clubs and their supporters - deserve recognition for helping to champion all that’s good in the game.

"The cash donations will go some way to supporting the excellent work these clubs do in their local communities and improving the experience of the game for everyone involved.”

Since its launch three years ago, The FA’s Respect campaign has helped to improve a range of aspects across the game, including the atmosphere in and around youth football, whilst there are now 6,000 more referees than in 2008.