Stour officials are in a league of their own

Committee members from the Stourbridge and District Youth Football League attended the Community Shield at Wembley to receive the FA’s Respect Award, having been commended for their work in encouraging fair play and respect for players and officials.

The prize was presented by GB disability captain Jack Rutter, before league members joined England 1966 hero Sir Geoff Hurst, who was also part of the judging panel, on the pitch at half-time

Martin Holliday, the league’s welfare officer, said: “We were delighted to have hear we had won the award. Everyone involved feels very proud and it has inspired us and our member clubs to continue and evolve this work to promote positive matchday environments for kids in the future.

“To be presented the award on the pitch at half-time by Sir Geoff Hurst was the icing on the cake.

“Having the SDYFL up in lights on the scoreboard and display boards across Wembley is great kudos for our local community and its army of kids and volunteers.”

Formed in 1974 and initially consisting of only six teams, the SDYFL now includes more than 450 teams from as far north as Shifnal and as far south as Worcester.

More than 5,000 youngsters compete in teams from under-7s right up to under-18, while Holliday estimates the committee to have given a combined service of more than 300 years. It is widely regarded as being one of the most active leagues in its local community in terms of promoting fair play and respect for fellow players and officials

Holliday added: “We have a responsibility to sell the game, get more kids playing locally and build a sense of community across all the adults involved to share the good practice and promote respect not just in football but in life.”

Hurst said: “The Stourbridge and District Football League could not be more deserving of this accolade. Their commitment and dedication to grassroots football is plain to see and they should be extremely proud of what they’ve achieved. The continued success of the national game is entirely dependent on the hard work of volunteers in local leagues like the SDYFL at a grassroots level, helping young English footballers continue to grow and prosper. It was a real pleasure to meet them and give them my wholehearted congratulations on winning the award in person.”

The Respect accolade forms part of the FA’s Grassroots Football Awards, sponsored by McDonald’s which this year received a record 2,900 nominations across all categories. Abdul Sirkhot, a McDonald’s franchisee who is also an avid supporter of grassroots football in the Stourbridge area, added: “The Stourbridge District Youth Football League has put real emphasis on promoting the Respect campaign and richly deserve this award.

“Alongside McDonald’s support of local teams through our club twinning programme, it’s the hard work shown by the likes of those at the SDYFL who keep grassroots football going.”