CREDITON Youth Football Club has been honoured with a top award from Devon FA.

At the Devon FA Football Awards ceremony held at Exeter Racecourse on Wednesday, July 25, Martin Daniel, the Crediton Youth FC outgoing chairman received on behalf of the club, the Devon FA and McDonald’s Charter Standard Club of the Year award.

The Grassroots Awards recognise people and clubs across the county that make a difference to grassroots football locally.

Dai Carpenter, Devon FA Senior Development Officer, said: “Volunteers in clubs and leagues are central to football everywhere, and we are proud of the dedication of coaches, club committees, grounds staff and league officials across Devon.

“We are also proud of our leagues who in addition to enabling thousands of games each season, continue to support raising standards and the charter standard programme.”

He extended congratulations to all of the award winners.

Also presented during the evening was the Devon FA Referee Awards, recognising the achievements of those who make refereeing what it is in the county, not just referees themselves but also the mentors, tutors, coaches and observers.

Guest presenter at the evening was David Fitzgerald and among the judges from the Crediton area were Devon FA Inclusion Advisory Group member Alan Quick, the Editorial Manager at the “Crediton Courier” and Andre Pike of A and S Paving, of Crediton, league sponsors.

Martin Daniel said after receiving the award: “Very proud moment as I picked up the Devon FA Charter Standard Club of the Year award on behalf of Crediton Youth FC.

“A massive thank you to everyone involved with the club, players, parents, coaches and the committee.

“A great end to my term as chairman. Congratulations to everyone.”

The other 2018 Award winners were:

McDonalds Award:

The McDonalds Charter Standard League of the Year Award – North Devon Youth League

The McDonalds Coach of the Year – Aaron Smallshaw (UEFA B Award) (Plympton AFC U10’s)

The McDonalds Community Project of the Year – Holsworthy Youth FC (Lyndon Piper)

The McDonalds Grounds Team of the Year – Mark Davies (SB Frankfort)

The McDonalds Young Volunteer of the Year – Nathan Morgan (Activate Youth FC)

The McDonalds Volunteer of the Year – Julie Train (Plymouth Aspire)

The McDonalds Supporter of the Year – Helen Freemantle (Honiton Town FC)

The McDonalds Grassroots Match Official of the Year Award – Paul Owens

The McDonalds Respect Award – Chaddlewood Miners Youth FC (Teresa Hill)

Steve Betts Award – Maria Spencer

Services to Devon FA Award – Tony Alcock

Referee Awards:

Throgmorton Referee of the Year – Stuart Ash

Throgmorton Young Referee of the Year/The Duncan Underhill Award – Bailey Walker

Throgmorton Referee Developer of the Year – Brian Reeby

Devon FA Referee Service Award for 40 Years – Brian Holmes, Brian Harvey, Barry Widdecombe

Devon FA Referee Service Award for 50 Years – Terry Atkins, William Hill.

Devon FA congratulated all of the winners and runners and thanks also went to the huge number of volunteers and people who put in a great deal of time into football in Devon.