In conjunction with McDonald’s, The FA’s Official Community partner, players, friends, fellow coaches or even parents can nominate a coach for this special award online at TheFA.com/FALearning.

A good coach is vital to the development of any player, no matter what age or ability. Eric Harrison (left), McDonald’s Head Coach and David Beckham’s first coach at Manchester United, says: "Good coaches are like good teachers, you never forget them."

The winner of this prestigious award will be The FA’s Chief Guest at The FA Community Shield 2005, win a once in a lifetime opportunity to watch an exclusive England training session with England Head Coach, Sven-Goran Eriksson and win coaching equipment worth over £5,000. The winning coach will also be presented with a trophy at this year’s Shield.

The winning coach will be decided on by a panel of some of the biggest names in English football. The five-strong panel includes Sir Trevor Brooking, FA Director of Football Development, Sir Geoff Hurst, McDonald’s Director of Football, Eric Harrison, McDonald’s Head Coach, Hope Powell OBE, the England Women’s Coach and Les Howie, The FA’s National Football Development Manager.

As well as an overall national winner, 43 FA County and nine FA regional coaches will be recognised for their commitment to English football. These coaches will win amongst other things tickets to this year’s FA Community Shield, coaching equipment and bursaries for additional coaching qualifications.

Sir Geoff Hurst commented: "Both myself and McDonald’s are delighted to be working with The FA in recognising the tireless work grassroots coaches put into local teams and communities.

Eric Harrison and I have toured the country over the last three years, visiting local training sessions to see at first hand the professionalism and commitment of these great coaches."

As The FA’s Official Community Partner, McDonald’s are committed to providing 8,000 new grassroots coaches by 2006.

With over 6,000 recruits delivering millions of hours of free qualified coaching to teams and community projects across the country, Sir Geoff Hurst and Eric Harrison will be touring the country to raise awareness of the scheme and attract more mums amongst others to improve coaching standards across the country.