Individuals who have given at least ten years of service to football in Essex as an honorary secretary of an affiliated club or competition, as a registered referee, or in various other roles can now be nominated for an Essex County FA Long Service Award.

Many years of volunteering in local grassroots football will be recognised and rewarded in 2021, with submissions currently being welcomed for appreciated grassroots heroes until Sunday 31st January via this link. 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.

Essex County FA Development Officer, Lana Gillard, would like to see even more committee members and referees receiving plaudits: “Through these awards, we’re very proud to be able to say thank you, and to recognise, many of the overall workforce in our region. Without the selfless hard work of volunteers, grassroots football simply wouldn’t exist.”

Nominations for these awards can be made via the online form by following this link. They must be received by Sunday 31st January at 11:30pm. Information on grassroots Essex football is also shared by @EssexCountyFA on Twitter and by searching for ‘EssexFootball’ on Facebook.