Our Awards Evening, supported by WMR Waste Solutions, took place at the American Express Stadium on Thursday 3 October 2024 and recognised the remarkable achievements of those people and organisations that drive grassroots football in Sussex.

The evening encompassed the England Football Grassroots Football Awards, The FA Referee Awards, and various Sussex County FA and FA Long Service Awards for clubs, and individuals.

Over two hundred people from across Sussex attended the event to recognise the invaluable work which is being carried out by this year’s recipients.

The evening was hosted by Ash Slaughter, Platform for Football Lead for Grassroots in The FA’s Grassroots Football Division, with special guest presenters, Derek Cornwell, Director of WMR Waste Solutions, Peter Lindsey, Chair of the Sussex County FA Referees’ Working Committee, Howard Webb MBE, the PGMOL's first Chief Refereeing Officer and finally, Thura KT Win, Chair of the Sussex County FA.

Recipients this year, most of which were awarded on the night, were as follows:

England Football Grassroots Awards

New Volunteer of the Year - Rachel Keen (Polegate Grasshoppers)
Young Volunteer of the Year - Cameron August (Lancing)
Match Official of the Year - Leila Ataei
Coach of the Year (Disability Pathway) - Lamin Faal (Seaford Town)
Coach of the Year (Female Pathway) - Joe McTiffen (Saltdean United)
Coach of the Year (Male Pathway) - Tim Brown (Eastbourne Borough)
Grounds Team of the Year - Nutley
The Lioness Award - Women's Flexible Ultra League
Keeping Football Positive Award - Steve Atkins
League of the Year - Horsham & District Youth Football League
Club of the Year - Crawley & Maidenbower Panthers
The Bobby Moore Award - Jeff Barrett (Horsham)

BBC Sports Personality of the Year 

Unsung Hero Award - Lamin Faal

Sussex County FA Equality Charter Awards

Equality Charter Award (Level 2) - Brighton Seagals

Sussex County FA Long Service Awards 

15 Year Staff Award - Ray Welch
25 Year Staff Award - Paul Baston
15 Years Service to Sussex Football - Trevor Hall
25 Years Service to Sussex Football - Jeff Hillman, Gareth Nicholas & Ian South
35 Years Service to Sussex Football - Greg Austin & Tony Dineen

The FA Long Service Awards 

100 Year Club Award - Pulborough
50 Years Service to Football - Jeff Barrett

Sussex County FA Referee Awards 

15 Year Referee Award - Donald Baikie, Graeme Bolton, David Ellis, Adrian Harris, Steve Hassett, Ian Homewood, Colin Huckle, Donald MacDonald, Samuel Martin, Marc Meeten, Richard Sargeant, Andrew Spink & Ian Stocker
35 Year Referee Award - Malcom Bowden, David Cole, Alan Cork & Tony Gurr

Sussex County FA & The FA Referee Awards

25 Year Referee Award - Philip Condon, Gary Manville-Dickens, Lloyd Rendell & Ash Slaughter

The FA Referee Awards 

40 Year Referee Award - Lionel Woodward
50 Year Referee Award - Roy Cheshire & John Holman

You can find out more about each of the recipients in the Awards Evening 2024 Programme which is attached below under related documents.

(Photographs from the event can be found on Facebook - courtesy of Simon Roe Photography)

If you are, or know of, a volunteer, club, league or match official that is worth of recognition for services to the grassroots game, please do let us know by completing the relevant nomination form on the relevant previously linked page - note self-nominations are encouraged. The nomination window for the England Football Grassroots Football Awards will open in early 2025.

For further information about the Awards Evening, supported by WMR Waste Solutions, please contact: