Gloucestershire FA honour for Barron
FOOTBALL club coaches, administrators and volunteers were honoured for their efforts and achievements over the 2011-12 season during the Gloucestershire Football Association's annual awards evening at Cheltenham FC.
The FA Community Awards, presented by McDonald's, built on the company's continued commitment to improving standards at grassroots level through the FA Charter Standard League programme and to recognise the efforts, improvements and achievements that the winners have made over this campaign in Bristol and across Gloucestershire.
GFA chief executive David Neale and football development officer Scott Milne outlined the successes the county association has achieved this season and how this would not have been possible without the involvement and co-operation of the volunteer football workforce.
These achievements include the increase in the numbers of youth, adult and disability teams and a rise in the number of active referees.
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The county's Football Futures programme currently has 170 young leaders and additional support has been provided through the 100-plus coaching, referee volunteer education courses which were run last season.
Six local leagues now hold the FA Charter Standard Status and 80 per cent of youth football is played within a Charter Standard club.
Before presenting the awards, Roger Burden, vice-chairman of the Football Association and chairman of the GFA, gave an overview of the grassroots game at national level and how county associations are working to improve standards of football and the importance of local supporters of this work.
Eight FA Community Awards were handed out, with each winner receiving a pair of tickets to the FA Community Shield, courtesy of McDonald's, together with an FA and McDonald's gift. Each recipient is also eligible for a regional and national Community Award.
Peter Brown, secretary of Mangotsfield United Juniors, received the Adult Volunteer Award having been responsible for organising 22 teams within the club, providing football for over 450 boys and girls.
The recent development of the club's base at Pomphrey Hill would not have been possible without his work to secure the necessary funding and this creates a bright future for current and future players.
Julian Harmer, pictured, of Longwell Green Sports, collected the Coach of the Year Award for his continued activity in supporting the development of players in different teams.
He is responsible for the under-15s and has coached the first team, resulting in their promotion to the Toolstation Western League.
Outside of the club, he has enjoyed further success with coaching a team from the Grange School, who reached the English Schools FA Cup Final.
The Outstanding Contribution to Community Football Award was presented to Charlie Barron, who has been running Henbury FC for 37 years.
Three seasons ago, the club was in danger of folding due to continued criminal damage to their facilities and other property.
Since then, he has been instrumental in reducing this activity by encouraging the "vandals" to play for the club and see the benefit it provides to the community.
By accessing funding, Charlie has financed the repair and improvements of the club's facilities and it now has a viable future.
Bristol Junior Supporters FC was also rewarded when Nick Brown collected the GFA Bob Lethaby Trophy and a football kit prize on behalf of the under-11 girls team, who have demonstrated a positive sporting attitude while playing in the Bristol Girls League.
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