Two former Norwich City stars surprised Norfolk County FA volunteers as they appeared at an awards bash.
James Maddison and Angus Gunn were among the England under-21s players to appear as special guests at Norfolk County FA's Volunteers' Awards evening at Sprowston Manor on September 7.
They appeared alongside Demarai Gray of Leicester City, Dominic Solanke of Liverpool and Lewis Cook of Bournemouth at the event.
The audience were not only treated to a Q&A session with Gunn and Maddison but another with manager Aidy Boothroyd in what was an insight into both the Young Lions' Camp and his recent experiences at the World Cup working with Gareth Southgate in Russia.
A charity raffle and auction was held, raising over £1,300 with the proceeds being donated to Community Sports Foundation, Norfolk FA's new charity partner, and specifically towards the funding of Phase 2 of The Nest. Norfolk FA's Banking Partners Barclays, who were also present on the evening, matched the funds raised to reach a total of £2,742.
Norfolk FA Chief Executive, Gavin Lemmon said 'The hard working volunteers that give up their time every week to guarantee our game continues to flourish are the real heroes of Norfolk football.'
The award winners were:
The FA Charter Standard Club of the Year: Horsford FC
Coach of the Year: Ben Woodruff (Tasburgh United FC)
Grounds Team of the Year: Aylsham FC – Jeff Lake
The FA Charter Standard League of the Year: Norfolk Combined Youth Football League
Match Official of the Year: Philip South
The Respect Award: Emma Hart – Dereham Saints FC
Supporter of the Year: Luke Wrycraft – Yaxham FC
Volunteer of the Year: Richard Giles – Acle United FC
Youth Volunteer of the Year: Tom Rampling (Norfolk Combined Youth Football League, Horsford FC & Norfolk FA Youth Council)
Community Project of the Year: 'All to Play For' – Active Norfolk & The Norfolk & Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
The Peter Smith Groundsman of the Year: John Marston – Mundford FC
FA & Norfolk FA Long Service Awards
10 Years' Service as a League Officer: David Beecher – Norfolk & Suffolk Youth League
15 Years' Service as a League Officer: Paul Newby – Norfolk & Suffolk Youth League
15 Years' Service as a Club Officer: Joanna Simpson – Thetford Bulldogs FC
25 Years' Service as a League Officer: John Pitts – Norfolk & Suffolk Youth League
25 Years' Service as a League Official (Anglian Combination) & 10 Years' Service as a League Officer (Norfolk & Suffolk Youth): Brian Gower
25 Years' Service as a Match Official: Kevin Betts
The FA's 50 Year Service to Football Award: John Turner
The FA's 50 Year Service to Football Award & 25 Years' Service as a Club Officer & 25 Years' Service as Groundsman: Roger Knights – Shipdham FC
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