Local football heroes were recognised as Norfolk FA held its Volunteers Awards evening at Sprowston Manor.

Eastern Daily Press: Freethorpe FC - FA Charter Standard Development Club of the Year. Picture: Chris Pegs HamptonFreethorpe FC - FA Charter Standard Development Club of the Year. Picture: Chris Pegs Hampton (Image: Archant)

Incorporating The FA Community Awards, The FA Long Service awards and various Norfolk awards, the evening celebrated the contributions that clubs, leagues and individuals made to grassroots football in Norfolk during the 2016-17 season.

Wimbledon doubles and French Open singles champion Alfie Hewett was the special guest for the evening alongside The Voice Kids star Perry Cooke.

Norfolk FA had given away more than 120 tickets for the event to ensure as many people as possible could celebrate the achievements of so many in the local game.

'Norfolk football would be nothing without the hardworking volunteers that give up their time each and every week to ensure that the beautiful game is being played across the county,' said chief executive Gavin Lemmon, who took over from Shaun Turner earlier this summer. 'Our awards evening allows us to reward those individuals and give them a little bit of recognition for all they do.

Eastern Daily Press: FA Charter Standard Community Club Award winners - Taverham FC. Picture: Chris Pegs HamptonFA Charter Standard Community Club Award winners - Taverham FC. Picture: Chris Pegs Hampton (Image: Archant)

'May I once again congratulate all of this year's winners of awards and thank all of Norfolk's amazing volunteers that allow so many to enjoy football within our great county.'

This year's event also showcased the support of award winning architectural practice Chaplin Farrant in the first of a three-year partnership with Norfolk FA.

'We're delighted to welcome Chaplin Farrant on board, not only as a valued partner of Norfolk FA but also in supporting such a fantastic event in our seasonal calendar,' added Lemmon. 'Chaplin Farrant as an organisation already play a significant role in the development of football facilities in Norfolk and we at Norfolk FA are extremely appreciative of them now wishing to support the game further.'

Chaplin Farrant Director, Mark Camidge, said: 'As a practice we have been involved in a number of football projects, both at grassroots and professional level and on every project the passion, commitment and time given up by volunteers to be enable these schemes to happen is invaluable.

Eastern Daily Press: FA Charter Standard League Award winners - Norfolk Combined Youth Football League. Picture: Chris Pegs HamptonFA Charter Standard League Award winners - Norfolk Combined Youth Football League. Picture: Chris Pegs Hampton (Image: Archant)

'Without them so many just wouldn't reach fruition. To be able to support Norfolk FA in recognising these clubs and individuals is a real honour for us and it's fantastic to be able to give something back to help all the volunteers get the credit they deserve.

'We are passionate about the sport and this partnership over the next three years will hopefully help more of these grassroots clubs develop and promote the beautiful game.'

Award winners

Eastern Daily Press: Best Inclusive Project - Providence Street Football Group. Picture: Chris Pegs HamptonBest Inclusive Project - Providence Street Football Group. Picture: Chris Pegs Hampton (Image: Archant)

The FA Charter Standard Club of the Year: Stalham Youth FC

The FA Charter Standard Development Club of the Year: Freethorpe FC

The FA Charter Standard Community Club Award: Taverham FC

The FA Charter Standard League Award: Norfolk Combined Youth Football League

Eastern Daily Press: Young Volunteer of the Year award winner � Harvey Newstead. Picture: Chris Pegs HamptonYoung Volunteer of the Year award winner � Harvey Newstead. Picture: Chris Pegs Hampton (Image: Archant)

Best Inclusive Project: Providence Street Football Group

Young Volunteer of the Year: Harvey Newstead (Norfolk FA match official, Football Futures Leader & member of Norfolk FA Youth Council)

Coach of the Year: Keith England (Costessey Sports FC)

Peter Smith Groundsman of the Year: Steve Finch (Wells Town FC)

Eastern Daily Press: Coach of the Year � Keith England (Costessey Sports FC). Picture: Chris Pegs HamptonCoach of the Year � Keith England (Costessey Sports FC). Picture: Chris Pegs Hampton (Image: Archant)

Outstanding Contribution to Community Football: Colin Tungate (Martham FC)

Norfolk FA Special Recognition Award: Shayne Hill (Caister FC)

Long Service Awards

Eastern Daily Press: Peter Smith Groundsman of the Year � Steve Finch (Wells Town FC). Picture: Chris Pegs HamptonPeter Smith Groundsman of the Year � Steve Finch (Wells Town FC). Picture: Chris Pegs Hampton (Image: Archant)

10 Years' Service as Club Officer: Paul Head (Scole United)

15 Year Long Service (officer): Chris McCullough, Graham Jubb (The Anglian Combination Football League)

25 Year Long Service: Mick McCann, Martin Acheson, Colin Whurr & Alan Edwards. (Aylsham, Norwich & District Saturday League, Sprowston Wanderers)

The FA 50 Year Long Service & 25 Years' Club: Bryan Wicks (Beetley)

Eastern Daily Press: Outstanding Contribution to Community Football � Colin Tungate (Martham FC). Picture: Chris Pegs HamptonOutstanding Contribution to Community Football � Colin Tungate (Martham FC). Picture: Chris Pegs Hampton (Image: Archant)

The FA 50 Year Long Service: David Smith (50 years as a Norfolk FA match official)

15 Year Long Service Award (Norfolk FA Council): Michael Banham (current NCFA Chairman)

Special Award - Services to Norfolk FA: Shaun Turner (Former CEO)

Eastern Daily Press: 10 Years� Service as Club Officer � Paul Head (Scole United). Picture: Chris Pegs Hampton10 Years� Service as Club Officer � Paul Head (Scole United). Picture: Chris Pegs Hampton (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Norfolk FA Special Recognition Award � Shayne Hill (Caister FC). Picture: Chris Pegs HamptonNorfolk FA Special Recognition Award � Shayne Hill (Caister FC). Picture: Chris Pegs Hampton (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: 15 Year Long Service (officer) � Graham Jubb (The Anglian Combination Football League). Picture: Chris Pegs Hampton15 Year Long Service (officer) � Graham Jubb (The Anglian Combination Football League). Picture: Chris Pegs Hampton (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: 15 Year Long Service (officer) � Chris McCullough (The Anglian Combination Football League). Picture: Chris Pegs Hampton15 Year Long Service (officer) � Chris McCullough (The Anglian Combination Football League). Picture: Chris Pegs Hampton (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: The FA 50 Year Long Service � David Smith (50 years as a Norfolk FA match official). Picture: Chris Pegs HamptonThe FA 50 Year Long Service � David Smith (50 years as a Norfolk FA match official). Picture: Chris Pegs Hampton (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: The FA 50 Year Long Service & 25 Years� Club � Bryan Wicks (Beetley). Picture: Chris Pegs HamptonThe FA 50 Year Long Service & 25 Years� Club � Bryan Wicks (Beetley). Picture: Chris Pegs Hampton (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: 15 Year Long Service Award (Norfolk FA Council) � Michael Banham (current NCFA Chairman). Picture: Chris Pegs Hampton15 Year Long Service Award (Norfolk FA Council) � Michael Banham (current NCFA Chairman). Picture: Chris Pegs Hampton (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Special Award - Services to Norfolk FA � Shaun Turner (Former CEO). Picture: Chris Pegs HamptonSpecial Award - Services to Norfolk FA � Shaun Turner (Former CEO). Picture: Chris Pegs Hampton (Image: Archant)