Prior to Redcar Town’s Senior County Cup clash with Scarborough Athletic on Tuesday 6 November, Redcar volunteer Graham Todd was presented with the 2018 FA and McDonald’s Volunteer of the Year Award.

Currently acting as Chairman, Graham has been volunteering at Redcar Town for 15 years, with his influential input helping the club to develop from a handful of teams with a small hut to a thriving club of 19 teams with superb facilities, a Saturday morning club, ages ranging from U7 to U17, boys and girls teams and senior men and ladies teams. Graham’s determination is the driving force behind the small committee and everyone at the club has nothing but respect for him.

Graham spends most of his waking hours down at the ground marking out pitches, fixing machinery, putting up and painting fences and mending the roof. Graham was also instrumental in the club gaining an alcohol licence.

He has been treasurer for the last ten years, very active in his chairman's role and spends all of his holiday entitlement at the ground. He is a massive reason tournaments go ahead, bringing in much-needed income.

Graham runs an U8 team and also ran a Saturday morning club away from the club in another area of Redcar for the less fortunate so the young children could get two hours of training for a pound, giving his time up for free.

Every club needs someone like Graham - he has the respect of everyone at the club and makes everyone feel welcome. The club wouldn't be where it is today without his drive and determination and the young players wouldn't have the facilities to improve themselves in a safe, learning-conducive environment.

North Riding FA would like to congratulate Graham on winning this award and thank him for his outstanding contribution to grassroots football in the local area.