East Riding FA Grassroots Football Awards 2025
Last night the MKM Stadium in Hull played host to the annual East Riding FA Grassroots Football Awards.
Over 230 people from across the county were invited to attend so that we could celebrate their contribution grassroots football over the past year.
The ceremony which was hosted by James Hoggarth from BBC Radio Humberside saw us present 18 sperate awards with volunteers, match officials, clubs and leagues recognised.
The Awards are for the people who make a positive difference. It’s our way to celebrate the fantastic individuals, clubs and leagues who put their heart and soul into the grassroots game across East Riding – and say a huge thank you to the incredible volunteers who inspire us all.
The award winners were nominated by their peers and selected by a judging panel headed by East Riding FA Chief Executive Officer Adam Lowthorpe.
This years winners make grassroots football happen and help create a lifetime of memories. They connect community's, empower people to play and go above and beyond for the benefit of others.
They have demonstrated the true power of football, they have stuck together, helped each other across teams, across clubs and showed why the football community is so important to to the people of East Riding
This years award winners are:
East Riding FA Walter Owst Services to Football Award
Peter Bilsdon - Hessle Rangers CIC
This award was created in memory of long serving Hull Sunday Men's League Secretary Wally Owst. A man who dedicated his life to serving grassroots football in East Riding.
Pete is the second recipient of this annual award and like Wally has dedicated his life to football.
Hessle Rangers were formed in 1976 when Pete and his wife and his Janet answered the call the to create a football team for their son and his friends. Initially taking on the role of club secretary Pete has been integral in making Hessle Rangers one of the largest clubs in the county.
Pete still acts as the clubs treasurer with him also being named Club President.
East Riding FA Bobby Moore Award
Alan Barker - Elloughton Blackburn FC
This award is for the people who represent the very best of grassroots football. Alan is the beating heart of Elloughton Blackburn and was one of the founding members when the club was formed back in 1988.
While Alans official title is Club Treasurer, his contributions extend far beyond balancing the books. His dedication is unparalleled, and he continues to give his time, effort, and expertise to every aspect of the club, long after his own sons moved on. He is a mentor, a leader, and the backbone of EBFC.
Affectionately known as ‘Big Al,’ he is a club stalwart whose impact goes far beyond the pitch.
The award was collected on Alans behalf by Elloughton Blackburn FC President Conleth Campbell.
East Riding FA Club of the Year
Great Driffield AFC
Great Driffield AFC are a two-star England Football Accredited club and currently provide playing opportunities for nearly 450 players
The club which was born out of a coalition between Hutton Cranswick SRA, Driffield Evening Institute and Driffield Junior Football is led by Chairperson Jim Laird and supported by a dedicated group of volunteers.
The club recently opened a new club house after obtaining funding from East Riding of Yorkshire Council and the Football Foundation with the clubs’ senior men's side winning the East Riding FA Senior Cup Final for the very first this season.
East Riding FA League of the Year
East Riding Girls Football League
The league recently celebrated its 25th Anniversary after being formed in 1999 with them proving a structured playing competition for over 140 teams and more than 2000 players this season.
The league offers a full playing pathway which is underpinned by a small but hardworking committee with them being a trailblazer for providing opportunities for girls to play football in East Riding.
They are always looking to innovate with them constantly looking at way to improve the playing experience.
East Riding FA Referee of the Year
Kevin Pick
Kevin is a level 5 senior county match official and has enjoyed a long career out in the middle of the pitch. Respected by his peers, team officials and players alike Kevin is a great example of how to conduct yourself when taking control of games.
He consistently displays the attributes associated with the DNA of English refereeing and enhances the playing experience for teams through his integrity, empathy and consistency.”
East Riding FA Young Referee of the Year
George English
George qualified as a referee in 2022 aged just 15 years old with him being one of the standout candidates to qualify from the FA Basic Referee Course.
Now at the age of 17 George has already achieved his first promotion with him taking control of both youth and adult football fixtures.
George is a calm and authoritative figure and displays empathy and integrity when taking control of games.
East Riding FA New Volunteer of the Year
Danny Atkin - Hull Cosmos
This award is for someone who has burst on to the scene this season and made a big positive impact
Danny is the Chairperson and Coach at Hull Cosmos and the founder of the club. He has worked incredibly hard to find a venue to train and play which has helped unite a community.
He has empowered other parents to volunteer at the club and he always puts the needs of the children first with him working tirelessly to provide them with the best environment to play football.
East Riding FA Young Volunteer of the Year
Lila Abbot & Kayleigh Peters
This award is for young people aged between 14 and 25 years old and it is for those who display exceptional energy and skill.
This years winners both coach at Costello FC Jaguar U9’s and are aged just 18 years old. They both display exceptional commitment to their team and are always looking to improve their coaching skills with them recently returning from South Africa where they were coaching football.
Claire Robson (Costello FC Secretary) and Andy Winfield Costello FC (Chairperson) are collected the awards on behalf of Kayleigh and Lila.
East Riding FA Lioness Award
Lilliana Jeffrey - Market Weighton Town FC
This award is for the people who move the game forward, for the people who inspire and create more opportunities in the female game.
At the age of 15 Lilliana is already player, coach and qualified referee.
Lillian is passionate about getting more girls involved in football and helps inspire more players at her clubs Wildcat football sessions and when she isn’t coaching, she is in the middle of the pitch taking charge of games and acting as role model for other young females.
East Riding FA Grassroots Football Coach of the year - Male Pathway
Francesca Biagi - Fulford FC
Francesca is a coach at Fulford FC currently coaches the clubs the U7s team.
She is credited with developing teams at multiple age groups and is described as ‘the heartbeat of the club’.
Francesca always make sure training sessions are fun and engaging with her also carrying out all the teams administrative duties - all this whilst battling a serious illness which resulted in a spell in hospital.
East Riding FA Coach of the Year - Female Pathway
Laney-Mae Woodhall - Easington United
Laney is the coach of Easington United U16’s after founding the team three years ago.
Many of the players who first joined were shy and low in confidence and results didn’t go their way during that first season. Laney persevered with the girls though, and they now look up to Laney because of the time they have spent being coached by her.
During this time Laney has had a baby whilst also having to juggle her work life and playing career and she has worked with the parents and the players to create a warm and inclusive environment.
East Riding FA Coach of the Year - Disability Pathway
Roy Atkinson - Howden AFC
Roy is a coach at Howden AFC’s Pan Disability football session with him creating a warm and engaging environment where all the participants can thrive.
Training sessions are the highlight of the week for many of the children with indeed his own children also taking part.
Roy has a unique ability to make everyone feel welcome and he works tirelessly to make sure all children are included.
East Riding FA Grounds Team of the Year
Ian Daniell's, John Green, Colin Gibson & Jimmy Drewry - Pocklington Town
This award is for the people who go the extra mile to make sure their pitches are playable all year round.
The Grounds Team at Pocklington Town look after 10 pitches at a 17-acre site which houses nearly 30 football teams.
They have attended training and take part in the East Riding FA Pitch Partners programme and they work all year round to make sure the pitches are in excellent condition.
The club now hosts various finals and representative fixtures due to the quality of the playing surfaces.
East Riding FA Positive Environment Award
Elloughton Blackburn FC
This award is for the clubs, leagues and volunteers who make football a safe and enjoyable environment.
Elloughton Blackburn FC club have been working with Hull and East Yorkshire MIND since 2020 after one of the clubs coaches committed suicide.
Since then the club have raised over £20,000 for MIND with over two thirds of the club’s coaches are now trained to spot the signs and symptoms of mental health issues.
The club proudly display's the MIND logo on all their club kits they recently became the first ever organisation to receive MIND’S Platinum Community Partner Award.
East Riding FA All Play Award
Active Through Football - Hull
The East Riding FA All Play award celebrates the vibrancy and diversity of football in our county and the people who go above and beyond to make football inclusive.
Launched in 2022, the initiative aims to increase physical activity levels and create sustained behaviour change through recreational and informal small-sided football sessions and community engagement.
The project is delivered by a consortium that includes Hull City Council, Hull Culture and Leisure, Tigers Trust and the University of Hull with them engaging with more than 1,500 participants from over 60 nations.
East Riding FA Pitch Partner Award sponsored by East Riding Turf Care
Mike Richards - AFC Skirlaugh
Pitch Partners is a local natural turf grass pitch improvement campaign to enhance the quality of grass pitches across the county, for a better football playing experience. It is built on the involvement of the grounds care community across East Riding FA grassroots football networks and Local Authority partners
Mike has dedicated a huge amount of his time making sure his clubs pitches are in the best possible condition with his club investing in machinery to improve the playing surfaces and is an enthusiastic participant in the Pitch Partners programme.
His club’s pitches are now regarded as some of the best in the area.