Hullbridge Sports Under 16s and Hedinghams United Under 12s (Hawks) are going head-to-head in a live Facebook vote until Wednesday 26th June as we seek to determine the winner of the 2018/19 Essex County FA Fair Play Awards.

Throughout the season, anyone who witnessed exceptional acts of sportsmanship at a match has been encouraged to put individuals or teams forward for each month’s competition. Nominees were then whittled down into an open vote between two finalists each month, culminating in this end-of-season contest, with votes being cast at www.facebook.com/EssexFootball.

Both were selected by a panel to progress to the 2019 final. Hullbridge won November’s award when the team’s parents went the extra yard to praise an opposition goalkeeper who had put in an outstanding performance. Hedinghams, meanwhile, were the winners in April having staged a guard of honour for their league-winning opponents ahead of a cup semi-final.

The County FA aim to promote admirable conduct through the regular competition, celebrating the best elements of the game and encouraging them in all formats of youth and adult football. Helen Hever, Essex County FA Designated Safeguarding Officer, said: “This new, interactive format for our Fair Play Awards this season has proved to be a real success.”

“It’s uncovered some fantastic instances of fair play and sportsmanship and we’re delighted to be able to celebrate these. It was really difficult to whittle down all these fantastic monthly winners into two finalists but the two we’ve selected are wonderful displays of sportsmanship. Best of luck to Hullbridge Sports and Hedinghams United!”

The vote is open until Wednesday 26th June at www.facebook.com/EssexFootball. A prize of £700 worth of kit and equipment vouchers is available for the winners, with £500 of vouchers for the second place. To find out more about grassroots football, browse the menus above.