The prestigious event took place within the grounds of the famous stately home in Knebworth, with over 130 people from around Hertfordshire. Guests ranged from referees to club coaches to administrators and as well as the range in duties, the age range was also extensive with young volunteers and people who have given 50 Years or more service to the game.
With 14 categories and 23 winners on the night, Hertfordshire FA paid tribute to some of the great work achieved by the local football public. Most notably Caimin Rowntree, former Bishop’s Stortford Community Football Club Chairman, who tragically died last September. He was awarded with the Outstanding Contribution to Community Football award and has also won The FA East Regional equivalent that will see him now put forward for the National honour given out by The FA at next season’s Community Shield at Wembley Stadium.
Club winners on the night were Harpenden Town Colts (Charter Standard Club of the Year), Welwyn Pegasus FC (Charter Standard Development Club of the Year) and Berkhamsted Raiders (Charter Standard Community Club of the Year). Whilst Queens School in Watford were named School of The Year.
Individual awards were given out to the following, Aaron Hemsley of King George FC (Young Volunteer of the Year), Matthew Hurst of Stevenage Borough Juniors (Volunteer of the Year), Steve McHugh of Berkhamsted Raiders (Coach of the Year) who has also won The FA East Regional award in this category, whilst David Wray, Alan Lowe, Tracy Hudson, Yvonne Waller and Alan Hazel all picked up Workforce awards for their fantastic contributions in recent years.
Finally, of course without referees there would be no football and with that said Hertfordshire named their Referee Achievement of the Year that went to Level 3 official, Lee Marshallsay, thanks were also paid to referees who have given years of service to the game including, Roger Bowden, Bob Spooner, Robert Booth, John Robertson, Kenneth Ward (25 Years Service), and Graham Liddle, Christopher Deane-Bowers, James Hockney (40 Years Service). In addition to this, Terry Izzard, Peter Humphreys, Alan Willmott and Lyndon Groucott were especially thanked for their 50 Years Service to the game of football.
A world cup themed event saw Knebworth Barns transformed into a homage to the 32 countries taking part in the greatest sporting event in South Africa, as flags littered the old Hertfordshire venue. Winners also had the opportunity to have the photo taken with a replica FIFA World Cup Trophy.
The evening also saw former FIFA Assistant Referee, Phil Sharp, give an after dinner talk around his experience of assisting refereeing great Pierluigi Colina at the 2002 World Cup final between Brazil and Germany in Japan.
Chief Executive Officer, Nick Perchard closed the evening with a good luck message to the England team in South Africa and thanked not only those who were present but everyone involved in the game that are striving to make it better.
Hertfordshire FA’s next big event is a Health Awareness day being held at Gosling Sports Park in Welwyn Garden City on Thursday 24th June.
We are working with charities including CRY, British Heart Foundation, Asthma UK along with the East of England Ambulance Service, Herts Sports Partnership and The FA to promote health and fitness not only in football but also in life as well as safety measures to keep players safe.