YES, three points on a Saturday afternoon are important and what all the hard work in the week is for.
But football clubs are not just about results and league tables – they are beacons in their community. Football is able to transcend everyday barriers and be a force for good.
Clubs at the top of the tree more than play their part but we think those in Non-League are the real heroes. So once again we’re honouring the Non-League club that does so much good at our prestigious awards ceremony held on the bank of the Thames at Fulham’s Craven Cottage on May 15.
We need your nominations for your Community Club of the Year, sponsored by the Football Foundation.
The Football Foundation is the UK’s largest sports charity and funds a huge range of projects and schemes that benefit the grass-roots game.
Thousands of people up and down the country are now enjoying top class facilities thanks to their fine work.
And it allows clubs to really get into the heart of their local area. Last year’s deserving winners were fan-owned FC United of Manchester, who perfectly embodied what this award is all about.
Above: FC United’s Andy Walsh, right, presented with their award last year by the Football Foundation’s Rory Carroll.
The Red Rebels do fantastic work with local youngsters and had also raised £1.6m towards a home of their own through a community share scheme.
And they even hold an annual Big Coat Day to donate winter clothing to the homeless and needy across Manchester and the north west.
This award is always one of our most closely contested with many worthy nominations, so make sure you tell us about all the good work your choice does.
Whether it’s helping people back into employment, giving kids’ football coaching or running disabled teams – we want to hear about it.
Budweiser Club Futures is a programme investing £1m into grassroots football. Season two applications will be live on thefa.com from July 2013.
NGA 2012-13 LIST OF AWARDS
OUR GAME Player of the Year
SPORTSBEAT Young Player of the Year
REUSCH Goalkeeper of the Year
PRO DIRECT Golden Boot
SK KITS Step 3 & 4 Player of the Year
MARK HARROD Team of the Year
ESPN Cup Run of the Year
POWER HORSE Lifetime Achievement
PREMIER SPORTS Goal of the Season
WILLIAM HILL Fan of the Year
THE FOOTBALL FOUNDATION Community Club of the Year
THE PFA Fair Play Award
BUDWEISER CLUB FUTURES PROGRAMME Unsung Hero
S&C SLATTER Manager of the Year
THE FA England C Player of the Year
VOTING IS NOW OPEN!
SEND IN YOUR NOMINATIONS TO [email protected] OR BY POST TO: THE NON-LEAGUE PAPER, TUITION HOUSE, ST GEORGE’S ROAD, WIMBLEDON, SW19 4EU.
