FA & McDONALDS GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL AWARD WINNERS
2022 FA & McDonalds Local Grassroots Football Award Winners Announced
The FA and McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards are for the people who make a positive difference. It’s our way to celebrate the fantastic individuals, clubs and leagues who put their heart and soul into the grassroots game across England – and say a huge thank you to the incredible volunteers who inspire us all.
Our local winners were nominated by their peers and selected by a judging panel headed by East Riding FA Chief Executive Officer Adam Lowthorpe.
This years award winners make grassroots football happen and help create a lifetime of memories. They connect community's, empower people to play and go above and beyond for others.
They have demonstrated the true power of football, they have stuck together, helped each other across teams, across clubs and showed why the football community is so important to to the people of East Riding.
On behalf of everyone at East Riding FA and the wider grassroots football community we would like to say a huge congratulations to all of this year’s winners – and a big thank you for making our county the best place to play and enjoy grassroots football.
FA & McDonalds Coach of the Year - Youth
Joe Birney - Elvington Harriers
The winner of this years award clearly inspires excellence and inclusivity in their players and believes that boys and girls should have equal access to football.
Joe Birney coaches Elvington Harriers U8s and the clubs Weetabix Wildcats centre and takes great pride in giving local children the opportunity to play football.
Away from the football pitch Joe spends a considerable amount of time researching new training ideas and marks every child’s birthday with a card and gift.
Fun and positivity is the mantra that our award winner adheres to with him determined to make his players football experience as enjoyable as possible.
This has all been achieved despite our award winner suffering from a serious health condition.
The FA & McDonalds Coach of the Year - Adult
David Lawtey - East Riding Futsal Club
The winner of this year’s award is a fantastic communicator and is responsible for uniting a team full of different nationalities.
Formed just four ago this year’s Dave has led his futsal side to glory with them winning the LNFS North Division One title last season.
Dave Lawtey is credited with creating a family like atmosphere at the club with the FA RESPECT values at the centre of everything he does.
Amazingly this Is the second time in five years that Dave has won this award which is testament to his coaching credentials and his popularity amongst his playing group.
Not only does our award winner coach the men’s first team he also helps with a number of other roles at the club such as refereeing and coaching the youth players.
This year’s winner is an all-round club man who influences and inspires.
FA & McDonalds Match Official of the Year
Ian Mclane
This year’s award winner is a stalwart of the local game and has been involved in grassroots football for a number of years.
Known for his reliability and fairness Ian has shown great dedication to being a match official and takes great pride in being able to support others.
Despite suffering from a serious illness our award winner has fought back and consistently displays the core values associated with the DNA of English refereeing.
He is ever present and is recognised for his off-field commitments as well with him coaching, mentoring and appointing match officials.
Ian acts with the upmost integrity and spends countless hours away from the pitch making sure that match officials are supported and encouraged.
A champion of referees this year’s award winner Is a shining example to other match officials in our county.
FA & McDonalds Spirit of Football Award
Andy Jarvis - Hedon Rangers
The winner of this year’s award has gone the extra mile to make sure the mental wellness of young players at his club is treated the same as their physical health.
In his role as Wellness Champion Andy has made sure that young peoples needs are prioritised at his club with him regularly attending club meetings to discuss young people’s welfare needs.
Andy has shown tremendous tenacity and dedication to the role with him implementing several initiatives including the launch of a Wellbeing Loyalty Card.
The aim of the card is to give young people at the club the opportunity to take part in activities that will help their mental wellbeing at a discounted rate.
This Wellness Champion role was taken on whilst still coaching one of the club’s youth teams which meant that Andy had first-hand experience some of the problems young people face.
This year’s winner is a champion of young people and works hard to make sure their mental wellness is prioritised.
FA & McDonalds Volunteer of the Year
Paul Richardson - Kingwood United
This year’s award winner is credited with starting a club from nothing just a few years ago to one that is one of the biggest in the county.
Through his vision and enthusiasm Paul has managed to create a club that serves one of the biggest housing developments in the region with over 450 people playing for the club each week.
A committed and inspiring coach in his own right this year’s winner has managed create a sound infrastructure at the club which now boasts over 50 volunteers.
No job is too big or too small for this year’s winner with him taking on the role of secretary and treasurer whilst also finding time for his first love - coaching one of the club’s teams.
Paul's passion for football is clear for all to see with him working tirelessly for the benefit of the local community. Something which is evidenced through the sourcing and development of a new home for the club.
Paul works incredibly hard to make sure the club he created is inviting and welcoming with the development of young people just as important as the development of young footballers.
FA & McDonalds Rising Star of the Year
Amber Leake - East Riding Match Official
The winner of this year’s award is just 16 years old, but she is already making a real contribution to grassroots football in East Riding.
Recognised for her dedication and professionalism Amber is responsible and demonstrates a real positive attitude, attributes which are crucial to her role as a match official.
Games are refereed fairly and skilfully with consistency being the key for this year’s award winner.
Not only is she leading from the from the front as a match official she also managed to find the time to continue playing.
A position she has used to great effect as she has inspired a number of her team mates to become match officials as well.
FA & McDonalds Grounds Team of the Year
David Green - Hessle Sporting Club
The winner of this year’s award is regularly seen volunteering his time to make sure the pitches at his club are the very best they can be.
Dave is often seen driving his tractor or marking out pitches with him spending most of his spare time down at the club.
This year’s winner is committed to giving the players at his club the best opportunity to enjoy playing football by researching and learning new techniques. Something which is evidenced through the club’s enrolment on the FA Pitch Improvement programme.
Despite spending most of his time caring for the clubs pitches Dave also finds the time to play with the clubs walking football team whilst also coaching at the club’s junior development sessions.
This year’s award winner is an extremely committed volunteer who gets great pleasure from helping others.
FA & McDonalds League of the Year
MKM Hull Sunday Football League
The winner of this year’s award is an England Football Accredited league and one of the biggest Sunday football leagues in Yorkshire.
Served by an incredibly hard-working committee the league still maintains the values and ethos it enjoyed when it was first created back in 1952.
Providing football for nearly 50 teams and over 1600 players the league is a vital part of the community and has a long history with some clubs playing in the league for over 60 years.
The league supports a number of FA and County FA led initiatives such as the Respect campaign and pride themselves on providing a safe, fun and inclusive environment for all of its members.
FA & McDonalds Club of the Year
Howden AFC
The winner of this year’s award is a two-star England Football Accredited club and have made great strides over the past year to make their football club fully inclusive.
The club has nearly 30 teams and provides football for over 300 people with a dedicated group of volunteers committing countless hours to delivering a football club that their community can be proud of.
Recent additions to the club include a walking football team, a Weetabix wildcats centre and a new disability section with the club receiving high praise for their efforts.
Off the pitch the club committee are working hard to improve their facilities so that they continue to attract new members to the club despite limited resources.
On the pitch the club’s men’s senior team tasted success for the first time with them recording a league and cup double after topping division three of the York Minster Engineering League and winning the East Riding Junior Country Cup.