FOOTBALL: Roy's dedication to Staplegrove Youth Football club is rewarded (From This is The West Country)

FOOTBALL: Roy's dedication to Staplegrove Youth Football club is rewarded

7:00am Sunday 22nd July 2012 in Sport

ROY Mockridge, a coach at Staplegrove Youth Football Club, has been awarded an FA Grass Roots Award in recognition of his outstanding services to the club.

Mockridge started as a coach and team manager with Staplegrove when his son Sam was an Under-8 and he continued with that age group up to Under-18.

With no thoughts of giving up, Mockridge then became the coach for the youngest aged members - the Under-7s - a position he has held for five years.

Club chairman Roger Cutler said: “Roy has given marvellous service over the years and has never flinched from anything asked of him. He’s like the foundations of the club. Without people like him you are nothing.”

Staplegrove Under-7s play their football at the Recreation Ground in Staplegrove village on Saturday mornings, starting in September, while older members play at the club’s ground off Corkscrew Lane.

The club has teams at various age groups in the Taunton and District Mini Soccer League for its younger members and the Taunton and District Youth League for its older members.

The club, which has been running for 26 years, has no connection with the adult Staplegrove team which is based at Manor Road.