Last night was a memorable occasion for the Bedfordshire FA. Luton Town FC were fantastic hosts for our annual Community Awards celebrating the amazing work around the county.

Award winners were invited to the stadium for drinks and a pre match meal as they collected framed certificates before the big game. Amongst a superb performance form the Hatters, the winners were invited onto the pitch at half-time under a round of applause from the crowd. 

A thoroughly enjoyable event all round. Congratulations to all of our award winners this year. Keep up the great work!
 
Grounds Team of the Year
Dave Smith – Dunstable Town Council
Ken McGarigle collected the award on behalf of Dave Smith who heads up the team that includes Lee Bowley, Simon Hump & Rob Scott. Together the fab 5 manage the fantastic community football facility at Creasey Park in Dunstable.

Beds FA & National Groundsman of the Year 
Wes Matthews
Groundsman at Step 7 club Elstow Abbey who keeps ‘The Warren’ pitch in pristine condition. Crowned National Groundsman of the Year 2018 with a trip to St George’s Park whilst having professional club groundsmen visit his pitch who were really impressed with Wes’ innovative hand-made equipment. Thank you to sponsors MH Goals and British Sugar Topsoil for Bedfordshire FA’s Groundsman of the Year.

The Respect Award
Chris Murray – Stotfold Juniors FC 
Chris has been instrumental in the development and growth of Stotfold Juniors FC. The size of the club has now doubled under Chris’ control to around 50 teams.

Supporter of the Year
Nicky Toone – Luton Town FC 
Avid LTFC fan, Nicky is well known to the players and staff, always brightening up the training ground. He’s represented the squad himself playing in the county disability league for LTFC community trust.

Community Project of the Year
Woburn & Wavendon FC 'Goalability' 
The club have recently setup and delivered a disability football session for children up to 16 in their local community. 

C.S. League of the Year
Chiltern Youth League 
The league has been forward thinking and fully embrace technological advances in the modern world to benefit local children playing football.

C.S. Club of the Year
Bromham Youth AFC 
The club continue to grow and develop having recently been awarded Charter Standard Community Status and deliver SSE Wildcats Centre for girls to get into the game.

Match Official of the Year 
Chris Parperi 
Chris has demonstrated the ability to communicate effectively before, during and after games in a variety of environments for the benefit of a good game of football.

Young Volunteer of the Year 
Tyler Dunnell- Dunstable Town
This young coach is extraordinary because he has been coaching since the age of 12 and now 5 years on, he is managing Dunstable Town’s U18 team. 

Volunteer of the Year
Melvyn Gazeley – Flitwick Eagles 
Melvyn founded the club in 1986 and it has flourished ever since. Recently he has been instrumental in the utilisation of Flitwick Football Centre for the benefit of the local community.

Coach of the Year
Dave Dixon -Toddington Rovers 
Dave has been a fantastic role model within his club, having demonstrated great enthusiasm for coaching and utilising his knowledge to ensure his players have fun and continue to develop.