Staffordshire grassroots football heroes honoured at annual awards

Grassroots football heroes from across Staffordshire were recognised at the county FA’s annual awards.

Sixteen awards were presented at the Staffordshire FA’s Grassroots Football Awards at St George’s Park last Friday.

Among the winners was Jane Dyson, known as ‘Mrs Chasetown’, who received the Bobby Moore Award for her instrumental role in the growth of the club’s youth section over the past decade.

“I am so proud to be given this,” she told the Express & Star. “I never do what I do to be given an award, like everybody else, but it is actually really heartwarming.

“I am blue all the way through, the club means a great deal to me. I started with them 12 years ago just as a parent rep. To see the amount of kids come through from aged four to 18 is just amazing to see.”

Members of Dyson’s own family have also progressed through the club’s ranks. As general secretary, she helped expand Chasetown from 24 to more than 70 teams in five years, supporting more than 100 managers and providing opportunities for 1,000 children.

“There’s been a lot of hard work, but rewarding,” Dyson said.

“There are times that you get embraced in what is going on and everything you have to do, but at the end of the day if you see the teams, the kids we deal with, and parents we support, that is what we are there for. We champion ourselves as a community club, and that is what we are.”

Chasetown’s Luke Hill was named Grassroots Griffin of the Year for his work at the club.

Other winners included Nicola Cook, from Wyrley Juniors, who received Disability Pathway Coach of the Year, while Amy Taylor won New Volunteer of the Year for her work at Coven United.

Nicky Bryant, from Wheaton Aston Juniors, received the Positive Behaviour Award, while the Staffordshire Football League was named League of the Year.

James Field was named Match Official of the Year, and Martin Gleave received an Outstanding Contribution Award for more than 15 years of service to Eccleshall Eagles. Stone Old Alleynians were named Club of the Year.

And Billbrook Juniors won Grounds Team of the Year, with chairperson and groundsman Dave Maydew also recognised for his contribution to the club.

After securing funding for essential grounds-maintenance equipment, Maydew took responsibility for improving pitch standards and transforming a once-declining clubhouse into a modern, thriving facility. He has held several roles during decades of service to the club.

“The award means quite a lot, really,” he said. “I have been doing this since 1995.

“It has taken 30 years to get what we have got. The facilities for every child at our club, I know I am biased, but if I was a parent, I would want to be at that club.

“This club is my life. I am truly grateful to be recognised, but nobody does this for an award. Everybody does it as a passion. We are all volunteers and we do it because we love it.”