Years of volunteering in local grassroots football will be recognised and rewarded in 2022, with nominations now open for the prestigious Essex County FA Long Service Awards until Friday 21st January.

Individuals qualify if they have given at least ten years of service to football in Essex as an honorary secretary of an affiliated club or competition, a registered referee, or in any other capacity felt to be appropriate, not including playing or managerial service. There are four categories:

Award of Merit: The nominee shall have given at least 40 years of outstanding honorary service to football in Essex, or in any other capacity felt appropriate, not including playing, refereeing or managerial service, and who is approved by the Executive Council of the Essex County FA.

Outstanding Service Award: The nominee shall have given outstanding service to football in Essex over a minimum of 30 years as an administrator or referee, or in any other capacity felt appropriate, not including playing or managerial service.

Exemplary Service Award: The nominee shall have given exemplary service to football in Essex over a minimum of 20 years as an administrator or referee, or in other capacity felt appropriate, not including playing or managerial service.

Long Service Certificate: The nominee shall have given at least ten years of service to football in Essex as an honorary secretary of an affiliated club or competition, a registered referee, or in any other capacity felt to be appropriate, not including playing or managerial service.

Lana Gillard, Essex County FA Development Officer, is looking forward to seeing more committee members and referees receiving well-deserved plaudits: “We’re very proud to be able to say thank you through these awards, and to recognise many of the overall workforce in our region. Grassroots football simply wouldn’t exist without the selfless hard work of volunteers.”

Nominations for these awards can be made by following this link. They must be received by Friday 21st January. Information on grassroots Essex football is also shared by @EssexCountyFA on Twitter and by searching for ‘EssexFootball’ on Facebook.