THE MIDDLESEX FA ANNUAL AWARDS EVENING IS A RESOUNDING SUCCESS
Middlesex FA staged their 2024 Awards Evening on Wednesday, 17th July. We hosted a full house in the Legends Lounge at Brentford FC’s Community Stadium, which was our venue for last year’s event and an enjoyable evening was again enjoyed by everyone present. The occasion was enhanced by the presence of Debbie Hewitt, the Chair of the Football Association, who we were delighted to welcome.
The Awards Evening celebrates the substantial efforts and achievements of the county’s volunteer workforce during the preceding season. The audience is comprised of representatives from every part of the Middlesex football family and their partners, together with a selection of friends and colleagues from neighbouring county associations and leagues.
The evening was planned and organised by the County FA’s dynamic headquarters team and its smooth running was again overseen in masterly fashion by Peter Gilham BEM, Brentford FC’s Matchday Announcer. Peter is about to commence his 56th season in that job, which is longer than any other football club PA announcer in the UK.
After Peter had opened the evening’s proceedings with a warm welcome to everyone in attendance, he regaled us with the usual necessary housekeeping information, and then handed over to Presenter and Commentator, Charlotte Richardson, who is herself a grassroots volunteer.
Charlotte introduced a video outlining some highlights of the season within our County and illustrating the impact that football has on the community. Then, after paying a fitting tribute to Middlesex FA’s volunteer workforce, she took charge of the award presentations. These revealed many inspiring tales regarding the dedication and the achievements of members of our vast army of volunteers. It is humbling to realise that these examples are just the “tip of the iceberg”.
The Keeping Football Positive Award, the first of the evening, was won by Shadia Edwards-Dashti, for her outstanding work as Actonians FC Community Officer. The award was presented to her by last season’s winner in this category, Eamonn Newell (Twickenham Cygnets FC). Other nominations, who received certificates were Mary Tryphona (the Head Coach of Omonia Youth FC’s Inclusive Section) and Roger Hogg (Manager of FH Whistlers).
The Grounds Team of the Year Award went to the Staines & Laleham Juniors duo of Ken Halse and Andy Hall for their remarkable dedication, expertise and relentless commitment to maintaining impeccable pitch standards, throughout the season. This award was presented by Neal Hickey, Middlesex FA’s Head of Participation and Development. Also nominated were the dedicated ground teams of Cademy FC, expertly supervised by volunteer groundsman, Chris Wilkins and Hanworth Villa FC. We had recent first-hand experience at the latter’s ground, when Dave Brown, his tractor and his team enabled this season’s Middlesex Sunday Junior Trophy final to go ahead despite significant rainfall.
The Match Official of the Year Award went to Jake Martin, who demonstrated remarkable resilience and unwavering positivity in the face of adversity, when he was subjected to a violent attack by a player. After less than 3 weeks of inactivity, Jake returned to officiating and achieved his Level 4. The destination of the award was announced by last season’s winner Sureka Griffiths but unfortunately, Jake couldn’t be present to receive it and the plan for it to be collected on his behalf by his father, Paul and his brother, Joshua was thwarted by a traffic problem.
The other 2 nominations for this award, Tom Wyatt and Steve Williams perfectly illustrated the dedication of our referees.
Tom, who refereed this year’s Middlesex Senior Challenge Cup final, exhibited a steely resolve and dedication to overcome a lot of disappointment and frustration to attain Level 3.
Steve, who is a Level 5 referee, has been affiliated to Middlesex FA since he qualified in 1973. An example of Steve’s dedication is the fact that he was assistant referee on the most matches (53) in the Combined Counties League in season 2022/3, when he was presented with the League’s Assistant Referee of the Year Award.
The Coach of the Year Disability Pathway Award was won by Mary Tryphona (Omonia Youth), who coaches a wide range of children and young people, making a big difference to their lives, both physically and socially. The presentation was made by last year’s winner, Connor Bagenal (QPR). Also nominated were Allan Cockram (who set up his Brentford Penguins club for Down Syndrome children 6 years ago) and Ricky Smith (Ruislip Rangers, who has been volunteering for multiple years and currently manages and coaches 7 teams).
The Coach of the Year Female Pathway Award went to Carley Lloyd (Actonians Ladies. Carley is a brilliant and dedicated coach of both the U15s and Senior 3rd team as well as being the Club Welfare Officer. The award was presented by last year’s winner, Victoria Ward (Actonians Girls FC). Other nominees were Andrea Gooden (Larkspur Rovers Club Welfare Officer) and Lauren Pines (Brook House Youth FC U11 coach/manager and mentor).
The Coach of the Year Male Pathway Award was presented to Jay Reader-King, who works tirelessly to help develop the extensive youth set up at Bedfont Eagles, by the previous recipient, Robbie Rutter (Enfield Rangers FC). Other nominees were George Batsa, who runs Parks (Youth) FC and Daniel Reilly, the Staines and Laleham Juniors coach, who is the heartbeat of his local sporting community.
The League of the Year Award went to the Middlesex Walking Football League and was presented by Daniel Perkins, the County’s Inclusion Development Officer. The League has grown steadily during the 6 years of its existence and now accommodates 37 teams in its 50s and 60s Divisions. The volunteers involved are Mick Geraghty, Shaun Sherrick, Steven Lawrence and Andy Perren. The other nominations for this award were the Middlesex Youth League and the Harrow Sunday Challenge League. Both of these leagues owe their continuing existence to hard working and dedicated individuals, namely Maria Diaper and John Lewis respectively.
The first session of awards was concluded by the presentation of the Lioness of the Year Award to Radhika Kalia of Indian Gymkhana FC, by the previous winner, Andrea Gooden of Larkspur Rovers FC. Radhika’s ongoing contribution to her club and women and girls’ football generally is truly commendable. Other nominees were Linda Fox (Chair of Actonians LFC) and Petrit Krasniqi (Head Coach of Eagles United FC).
We were then treated to an interesting informal Question and Session, with Charlotte Richardson asking FA Chair, Debbie Hewitt, the questions. We learned about Debbie’s early introduction to grassroots football, through her father’s refereeing activities. She has maintained a keen interest in the game throughout her business career and is undoubtedly well suited to her current important and prestigious role. She is grateful to the volunteers, who contribute so much to football and recognises the importance of the game in peoples’ lives.
Debbie said that the FA’s number one priority is the provision of top-quality pitches. They are vital for the proper development of our players and many more are needed. We currently lag behind many other European countries in this respect.
She reminded us that the next Euros are scheduled for this country in 2028. Debbie praised the recent achievements of our international sides and referred to their position as role models. She paid tribute to the significant contribution of our match officials at the Euro2024 finals.
Before we adjourned for the interval, during which a delicious two course buffet was served and which provided an opportunity for networking and meeting friends and present and former colleagues, Charlotte reminded us of the work of Middlesex FA’s Charity Partner, Ealing Foodbank.
Ealing Foodbank have served more than 39,000 people over the last year. Middlesex FA have so far provided 195 kg of needed items through donations received at the collection point at our Rectory Park HQ. In addition, fund raising efforts, which have included bake sales, staff sleep outs and ticket sales and collections taken at our County Cup finals, have so far raised £4,500.
Tickets for the evening’s raffle were on sale during the interval, with the proceeds going to Ealing Foodbank.
Peter Gilham restarted proceedings by welcoming to the stage Middlesex FA Chair, John Taylor, who formally launched the County’s Strategy for the next 4 years. John explained the exhaustive consultation process involved in developing it. This process, which lasted from October 2023 until May 2024, included engaging externally with key stakeholders and internally with our current workforce. Input from clubs, volunteers, referees, leagues and partners, including Local Councils and Community Trusts were key to the process. John’s presentation concluded with an illustrative video.
Charlotte Richardson now resumed the Awards presentations. The Young Volunteer of the Year was Koby Lee-Ford of Enfield Rangers. The award was presented to him by Davina Adesanya, who is a member of the Middlesex FA Youth Council. Koby is now very successfully following a coaching pathway after playing for Enfield Rangers for a few years. Other nominees were Alfie Essex (Sandgate Youth) and Jay Reader-King (Bedfont Eagles). Alfie is only 19 and plays semi pro football as well as managing and coaching Sandgate’s U7s, U9s and Little Kickers sessions promises to enjoy an amazing career. Jay was, of course, awarded the Male Pathway Coach of the Year earlier in the evening.
Sandgate Youth coach, Bacai Dos Santos has worked very hard on his own development and that of his team, since taking them over in October 2023 and earned the New Volunteer of the Year Award. This was presented to him by Middlesex FA Councillor, Segun Akinwoleola. Other nominations were Simone Asquith, Acton Ealing Whistlers Club Welfare Officer and Niki Hindley, a very active member of the Enfield Rangers Youth FC committee.
FA Chair, Debbie Hewitt made the next presentation. This new award, The Bobby Moore Award, was previously a national one, which is now being recognised by County FAs. It was awarded to Steve Dyett, an enthusiastic player, administrator and organiser at Watford Walking Football Club. Sadly, Steve recently passed away and he is being sorely missed. However, he has left an incredible legacy, inspiring many to join and compete for the club. Steve was represented by his wife Tracy and his children Laura and Matthew.
The other two nominees Freddie Scarborough and Liam Walshe were also truly inspirational. Freddie is the captain of FH Whistlers and a true leader, who brought the club together following the tragic death of their goalkeeper, in a pre-season traffic accident. Liam has been the driving force behind the Middlesex FA’s Referee Academy for more than 15 years.
The Grassroots Club of the Year Award went to Whitton Wanderers FC and was presented by Curtis Alleyne from last year’s winners, Pitshanger FC. Over the last 20 years, Whitton Wanderers has grown from 3 teams to 37, providing football for almost 600 people. The club prides itself on being in the forefront of diverse football and has recently introduced visually impaired football as part of its pan disability initiative. Other nominees were Minds United FC and Barnet Walking Football Club both of which make outstanding contributions to the health and wellbeing of their community.
Middlesex FA Chairman, John Taylor, then returned to the stage to present a Special Recognition Award to former senior referee Liam Walshe, who is stepping down after more than 15 highly influential years with the Middlesex FA Referee Academy. Liam has been a beacon of dedication and commitment and the results of his tireless efforts in coaching and mentoring referees, in their formative years have been obvious. He has nurtured their talents and facilitated their onward progress, at the same time raising the general standard of officiating within the County. This was again evident at this years’ cup finals. Liam’s hands on efforts will be missed but his recent election to the Middlesex Board of Directors will ensure that his influence will continue.
John now celebrated the success of the Middlesex Women’s Representative team, who had won the 2023/24 Southern Counties Cup Competition, by welcoming to the stage, team manager, Craig Nicholson and playmaker, Alissa Down, who has now made a record ongoing 41 appearances for Middlesex.
Next, John presented FA 50 Year Awards to 3 formidable and very deserving referees, namely Andy Taylor, Gary Cobden and Peter Jago.
John then made Middlesex FA 10 Year Long Service Awards to Julie Square, Ali Jobe and Andrew Walsh and Middlesex FA 25 Year Long Service Awards to Judi Grice, Gilli Farenden, Peter Croffey, Debbie Tipton, Tim Fuell, Claire Ford, Linda Fox and Kate Walsh.
The following volunteers could not be present to receive their awards but the audience were asked to include them in their applause: Lorraine Smith, Jamie Brunton, Anil Sethi.
Dave Baker, David Hayes and Julie Sayer (all 10 years) and Paul Keenan, Roger Crook, Bernard Bitmead, Derrick Matthews, Roger Stevens and Katrina Moore (all 25 years).
John then handed control of the proceedings back to Peter Gilham, who conducted the raffle draw, with the capable assistance of Middlesex Management Administrator, Sharon Porter.
Peter brought proceedings to a close by thanking Brentford FC, who were wonderful hosts and had provided the perfect backdrop to a great night. He thanked Debbie Hewitt for joining us for the occasion and then wished everyone a safe journey home.
Report: Jim Taylor
Photography: Chris Benn
Additional photos from Matt Dyachuk