Meet the Cumberland grassroots football heroes

Cumberland FA have announced the winners of their Grassroots Football Awards, selected from the many volunteers involved in the county.

The awards are a chance for the parents, coaches, clubs, leagues, fellow volunteers, match officials and others to pass on their appreciation.

Cumberland FA received 122 nominations earlier in the 2023-24 season and shortlists were made using the England Football criteria before an independent panel agreed on the county winners.

Club of the Year – Aspatria Juniors FC

Aspatria Juniors FC have been in existence on and off since the adult team was established in 2000. The junior club in its current form was restarted on August 9 2020 coming out of the Covid 19 pandemic.

The England Football Accredited Club offers playing opportunities from Under-6 to Under-16s in the youth section, with men’s open age and Over-35s coming under the linked adult club.

Playing opportunities for girls are also provided, and this season the club participated in The FA’s Play On initiative pilot, strengthening the link with a local school.

In its short four years as a junior section, the club have grown to 17 teams with more than 175 children playing football in the town.

The club also offers a very popular goalkeeping weekly session, not only to their own goalkeepers, but any aspiring youngsters who want specific goalkeeping coaching.

This year Aspatria JFC hosted their first football festival, inviting 126 teams into the town over two days. Due to its success, the club are hoping to continue it as an annual event.

“The club is going from strength to strength; the volunteer coaches are working hard to not only give fantastic experiences to the children who attend but also better themselves as coaches to improve the development of the kids as best they can. We aim to provide a safe and fun environment for continued development and a clear pathway from junior football to open age, girls and boys.”

Highly Commended

Warwick Wanderers Junior Football Club

Match Official of the Year – Jak Little

As a young referee, Jak demonstrates the skills needed to create a positive matchday environment for the players through his control of the game and clear communication.

Jak has been refereeing for two seasons and has shown dedication and commitment to playing a fairer game. This season, Jak has been appointed to a Cumberland FA County Cup Final in recognition of his performances on match day throughout the season.

According to the nomination, Jak is a fantastic role model for other children, as well as new referees and those who wish to be a referee in the future.

Highly Commended

Lauren Glynn
Bill Martin
Leigh Musgrave
Jackson Slack

Young Volunteer of the Year – Jessica Russell, Northbank JFC

Aged 15, Jessica plays, referees and also volunteers at her local England Football Accredited Club, coaching and supporting younger players.

According to the person who nominated Jessica: “She’s amazing with the girls she helps and gets very passionate about what she does. She always has ideas on how to pass on her knowledge as a female player to the younger girls she helps. Jessica is very positive and always thinking about others around her.”

Jessica has become a fantastic role model to the younger girls in the club, the great behaviour she displays rubs off on others around her. Every action is about how to help those around her.

As well as being a registered Cumberland FA Referee, Jessica has also completed the EE Playmaker by England Football course to support her in her volunteering journey.

Highly Commended

Kieron Nicholson (Maryport Amateurs FC)
Nyla Beckwith (Windscale AFC)

New Volunteer of the Year – Liam Tyrrell, Whitehaven AFC

Liam began coaching at Whitehaven AFC last summer when his daughter’s team needed an extra coach, volunteering as an assistant coach for a group of 32 girls at the Under-12 age group. The girls are split into two teams.

Liam has made a real impact, leading on coaching both teams at training and he’s also taken a lead on the conditioning side of things for the girls. He keeps this fun by introducing games to keep it light, fun and engaging when introducing fitness to the girls.

According to the nomination form: “It’s been great to see Liam smile every time he’s at training, leaving training and on match days, his enthusiasm is contagious, but it’s all because of the passion he has to coach our girls and support such a great team we have. It reminds me why I started coaching myself so many years ago.”

Highly Commended

Chloe Bone (Allerdale Girls FC)
Stephen Fisher (Mirehouse AFC)

Grounds Team of the Year – Dave Simmons, Greystoke

Dave is Greystoke FC’s groundsman and before stepping down at the end of the 2023-24 season was also first-team manager and secretary of the club. Going forward Dave will continue to look after the pitch and continue the fantastic job he has done over the years!

According to the nomination form: “Dave gives his all to the club; he cuts, rolls and spikes the pitch during the week, every week and marks the pitch on a Saturday morning before every first team or reserve game!

“Arriving an hour before the players on matchdays, as he is also manager of the first team, filling water bottles getting kit ready, does it all on his own back! Leaves after the players after changing rooms are tidy and doesn’t get the recognition he deserves.

“Dave has made a huge impact on the football club in so many ways since taking on the role nine or ten years ago, along with having a family at home the amount of time and effort he puts into the club is unreal! The pitch used to be a wet mud bath but with Dave’s skills over the years and pitch maintenance there’s not too many games get cancelled during the winter months!”

Highly Commended

Tom Banks (Kirkoswald FC)

Keeping Football Positive Award – Chris Middleton, Hilltop United FC

Chris is a volunteer for Carlisle Refugee Action Group and has set up and coached the first Cumberland FA registered refugee and asylum seeker football team.

The team is made solely of those seeking sanctuary in Carlisle, with a dozen different nationalities and languages, showing the true universal nature of football.

Chris initially set up a friendly kickabout at the hotel where the asylum seekers were staying, and realised how many enjoyed football, and the difference it made on so many levels.

Even within the dynamic of the hotel it broke down language and national barriers, formed friendships and made a huge difference to the men’s mental and physical health. The team have played local teams in friendly matches, helping to build friendships.

According to the nomination form: “Chris is an amazing volunteer, giving so much of his time and energy to supporting and encouraging those seeking asylum, arranging matches, coaching and fundraising for equipment and boots.”

Chris has used the power of football in this project to improve others’ lives making a big difference in the community, which is a key part of the criteria for the Keeping Football Positive Award.

Highly Commended

Howard Carpenter (St Bees JFC)
David Wise (St Joseph’s Walking Football)

Coach of the Year Female Pathway – Rob Campbell, Whitehaven AFC

Rob has coached girls’ football at Whitehaven AFC for a number of years across all age groups, including open age.

According to the nomination, Rob encourages any young girl to give football a go, which makes him a great ambassador to the female game. To Rob it’s not just about girls playing football, it’s about creating a happy and safe environment to play and train as well as working as a team and building friendships. He has the ability to get the very best out of each and every one of his team by focusing on their strengths.

Rob always promotes positivity and confidence in the girls he coaches, both of which will serve them well in future. From giving them responsibility on the pitch, praising them, keeping them motivated, he believes in them all.

The nomination form also stated: “I believe he represents the very best in girls football and a constant advocate of the female game.”

Rob is a fantastic role model to so many, I’m sure in years to come he’ll have many of those he’s coached come up to him, have a craic with him, talk about their football days – that’s a great legacy to have.

Highly Commended

Michael Crelling (Workington Diamonds)
Gary Gregg (Whitehaven AFC)
Stacey Eland (Allerdale Girls FC)

Coach of the Year Disability Pathway – Mark Thompson, Workington AFC

Mark set up and currently runs two teams who play in the Cumberland FA Ability Counts League. The feedback from the players is a testament to his efforts. #

According to the nomination: “They had a very successful season but the joy on the players faces at being given the opportunity to play is the most important!

Mark also plays Walking Football and makes the effort to encourage the players and treat them as the footballers they aspire to be.

Highly Commended

Josh Allen (Carlisle Reivers)

Coach of the Year Male Pathway – Malcolm Allison, Workington Reds U16 Blacks

Malcolm is the coach for Workington Reds U16s Blacks team.

Malcolm’s level of dedication to the team is there for all to see. The level of planning for the two training sessions a week, the communication with parents and passion and support he shows at matches regardless of how the game is going is second to none.

The boys are never made to feel any less if the game doesn’t go their way, but equally get highly recognised and praised when they have put their all into a game, again even when the result isn’t what they wanted.

Malcolm is always respectful towards the players and coaches them in a dignified way. The players and parents speak highly of Malcolm and the team very much feels like a community due to the hard work and dedication Malcolm puts into the team.

His approach to players and parents, his dedication and effort for many years (despite how the team are doing) makes him stand out.

“We just want to thank Malcolm for everything he puts into this team that allows the players to fully enjoy football without feeling overly pressured, just turn up work hard and enjoy the sport, just as it should be!”

Highly Commended

Matthew Whyte-Earl (Carlisle Centurions)
Patrick Malkinson (Bransty Rangers)
Dan Percival (Warwick Wanderers AFC)
Louise Pettitt (Maryport Athletic FC)

The Lioness Award – Bryan Thompson, Allerdale Wildcats

Bryan works tirelessly in the club coaching the Under-10s and the open age team (which was originally set up as a ‘mums’ team). Bryan has been fundamental in developing the women’s team which now plays in the Cumberland FA Women’s League.

The nomination form said: “Bryan is always the first coach to stand in when other team coaches are unavailable to help maintain an excellent foundation for the club’s players.”

When Bryan started the mums team, many of the ladies had never played football. He has brought together a diverse group of women who have formed lifetime friendships, significantly increased their fitness, wellbeing and mental health, and given them a fresh spark and opportunity.

Bryan has helped to make a big impact in the local community, both on and off the pitch.

Bryan helped provide a friendly environment for the women to play football and provided an opportunity for the ladies to increase their wellbeing and fitness. Over a number of years, Bryan has used football to inspire positive change.

Bryan has a kind and friendly approach to everyone he coaches, from the young players to the mums team. He is able to explain football to all levels and has a first-class knowledge of the game and coaching.

As part of Cumberland FA’s Turn Up and Play programme for women aged 35 and over, Bryan has taken on the lead role for the Just Play by England Football Centre in Workington.

Highly Commended

Gillford Park Wildcats

Bobby Moore Award – Bill Martin, Penrith and District Junior Football League

2023-24 is the first time that there will be a Cumberland FA Bobby Moore Award winner, as it is the first year it has been through the public nomination process.

This extra-special award is for the volunteer that represents the best of grassroots football; someone that’s has had a big impact over a period of time.

Cumberland FA said they were delighted to present the Bobby Moore Award to Bill Martin.

Bill is a Cumberland FA-registered referee and has been refereeing grassroots football across the county since 1970. Aged 85, Bill continues to referee locally, often taking more than one game per day to ensure they go ahead with a registered match official.

For more than 10 years, Bill has volunteered in the role of appointments officer, allocating referees for matches in the Penrith and District Junior Football League. Bill works tirelessly to appoint match officials to games across the various age group divisions, liaising with clubs and referees each week.

Over the years, Bill has also volunteered in a variety of roles in the Border City Sunday League, Carlisle and District League as well as the Carlisle Glass Longhorn Youth Football League. Bill also supports Cumberland FA with local match official appointments for the various Youth County Cup competitions.

Bill has also been a player and a manager in the local grassroots game.

According to one of the nominations: “Bill Martin is an inspiration and a great football person.”

Bill’s love and dedication for the game shines through whenever he is talking about football. He is a true gentleman, who never lets anyone down.

As another nomination comment said: “He is Mr Football”