The results of this seasons Groundsman of the Year awards have now been confirmed. Jim Ferguson from Poppleton Juniors has been awarded the National Groundsman of the Year Award for season 2009/10 for his hard work and commitment throughout last season.
Jim said “I was nominated by a few of the club members but didn’t think that I would even get a nomination, however to be crowned Groundsman of the year for such a small club is unbelievable.”
Steven Wade the County Development Manager for the North Riding County FA said “We received notification of all of the winners from the FA and were overjoyed when we realised that local grassroots team Poppleton Junior Football Club had won such an exclusive award.” He continued “This is a fantastic achievement for both Poppleton Junior FC and also the North Riding County FA.
Jim will be presented with a trophy at the winning Poppleton ground, and has also been awarded 2 FA Club tickets for the England vs. Montenegro European Championship Qualifying fixture in October. The FA will also be holding a ‘winners day’ at Wembley to which the top 6 groundsmen in each category have been invited. The day will include a tour of the stadium, lunch and a trophy presentation ceremony.
The judges reported a particularly high standard of Groundsmanship across the country despite the adverse winter weather, and would like to thank all County Football Associations who submitted nominations this season.