Army fa Awards Dinner 2018
Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Nick Pope welcomed the gathering where a host of presentations were made celebrating The Soldiers' Game. Legendary former England and Tottenham Hotspur defender Gary Mabbutt MBE was the special guest. We were also delighted to welcome respected journalist Patrick Barclay, Major General Shaun Burley (Director, ASCB), Aldershot Town FC Chairman Shahid Azeem, Daniel Routt (National Football Musuem), Air Cdre Simon Harper OBE MA (Chairman of UK Armed Forces) and German Defence Attache' Colonel Jorg Rutten
ARMY FA AWARDS EVENING PRESENTATIONS 2018
TEAM AWARDS
Inter Services Men/Women/U23 presented by DCGS
Constantinople Cup - Army Men Head Coach : WO1 Simon “Dinger” Bell (RLC)
Williamson Trophy - Army Women Head Coach: WO2 Mags McAteer (AAC)
Under 23 Inter Services - Army U23 Head Coach : Capt Paul Dale (RAMC)
2018 saw a “clean sweep “ of the Inter Services. Army Men won the Constantinople Cup for a third successive season with resounding victories versus Royal Navy (7-3) and RAF (4-1) in Head Coach WO” Simon “Dinger” Bell’s final season. Army Women continued an unbeaten sequence of eight years winning the Williamson Trophy defeating both the Royal Navy and RAF 2-1 whilst the Army Under 23s also won their section too in Coach Capt Paul Dale’s final season too. They opened the tournament with an excellent 3-0 win v Royal Navy in Portsmouth.
Massey Div 1/Woolwich Cup presented by Patrick Barclay
Winners: ROYAL ENGINEERS
Received by: Spr Atkinson
After three years of domination from the RLC there is a new name on the Massey Trophy. The Royal Engineers won the league, four points clear of the RLC. They also defeated AGC in the final to retain the Woolwich Cup. They also won a “treble” by winning the QUADS last month. The RLC last did the “double” in 2015/16 whilst the Royal Signals were the last team to win the Massey, Woolwich and Quads collectively in the same season in 2006/07.
Womens Inter Corps League/Edwards Cup presented by Patrick Barclay
Winner: RLC
Received by Sgt Tracy Montgomery
RLC won the Womens Corps League with a 1-1 draw versus AMS in the final match of the season. Both sides had a chance of winning the league prior to kick off. Just two points separated the top three teams. RLC, AGC, AMS. A 2-0 Edwards Cup Final win versus REME saw RLC list the trophy.
Army FA 1966 Commemorative Cup
Winner: 29 Regt RLC
29 Regt RLC won the second 1966 Commemorative Cup in Grantham with 13 teams entered.
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Army Men Player of the Season presented by Gary Mabbutt
Winner: Cpl Calum Wilkinson (RLC)
Voted Players Players of the Season and Managers Player of the Season the gap between this individual and second place was significantly vast. With 100% effort in training on every occasion and a team player he is value driven and intrinsically motivated in addition to being an absolute goal machine. All these attributes has seen him stand out above the rest.
Army U23 Player of the Season presented by Gary Mabbut
Winner: LCpl Sean Woolley (RLC)
This player made an immediate impact after returning to the U23s. His maturity, experience and leadership stood out and the players responded winning the Inter Services. He galvanised the whole environment and brought a positive vibe and injected calm and confidence. He was the outstanding player leading from the front displaying qualities on and off the pitch, captain and a calming influence during a nervy final match versus RAF.
Male Reserve Player of the Season presented by Gary Mabbutt
Winner: Cpl Peter Butler
An individual who has been a terrific addition to the Reserve side. He has managed to juggle a very busy work schedule, running his own business and an ever demanding Reserve and Football life balance.
He brought robustness to the team and through his own personal fitness and high Football standards he has helped to raise the Reserve team game. He has been an ever present throughout his first season and was unanimously voted for by all the staff and players to win this award. He has also represented the Royal Intelligence Corps at Reserve and Regular level, putting in some noteworthy performances. For his hard work and dedication
Women Player of the Season
Winner LCpl Jemma Dinning
The two recipients of the Womens Player of the Season were not in attendance on the evening. The Army Women Player of the Season is LCpl Jemma Dinning who was a major influence for the successful Womens Inter Service victors. Jemma won the won the Manager and Players Player of the Season and received her award from Womens Chair Colonel Alison Alison Curnow in March.
Women Reserve Player of the Season.
Winner: LCpl Lou Anderson
For the Womens Reserve Team there were a number of notable nominees for the Player of the Season Award but one player demonstrated a passion towards football which has been backed up with the talent and level of performances that are expected of someone at this level. She was the heartbeat of the team and has led from the front consistently now for two seasons. She played week in week out for The New Saints, was in the winning team for the AR 6s and has assisted the RLC to a league and cup double.
Dobsons Trophy Referee Award
Winners: Sgt Si Thorburn (Royal Signals) WO2 Brian Slinn (REME)
The Award for the Referee who has made the most significant contribution during the course of the season. The most prestigious Referee Award. This year, for the first time in its 30 year history the Trophy was shared.
Crusaders Top Scorer (WLVL)
Winner: Capt Jamie Lynch
This player has represented the Crusaders and Crusaders Vets this season, particularly in the West London Veterans League (WLVL). This player is the top scorer in the competition and receives an award from the competition.
Cadet Award presented by DCGS
Winner: Robert (Rob) Aldcroft) (Northumbria ACF)
This individual has been an adult instructor in the ACF for 35 years and has always had a keen interest in sports played within the ACF and his County.
For the past 15 years Rob he has been the Northumbria ACF County Sports officer with particular interest in football both in the ACF and also assisting his local youth community football teams in what precious spare time he has. The County and Brigade are proud and grateful for his commitment and determination in the field of sport and in particular football and feel that he fully deserves recognition for this award. He shows all the right values to be a true volunteer to the cadets and to Army football.
Volunteer of the Year presented by DCGS
Nominated:
WO2 Rebecca Coster (Int Corps)
Major Steve Clout (Army Reserve Secretary)
Major Andy Campbell (Army Crusaders)
WO1 Kev Haley (Army Rep Team Player/Army RoadShow)
Major Dave Manners (Army Reserve Men)
Winner:WO2 Rebecca Coster (Intelligence Corps)
The awarded Volunteer of the Year has been the powerhouse behind Intelligence Corps Womens football for 11 years as player, manager, coach and administration. As Secretary her task has been extremely difficult attempting to sustain a competitive team with cohort dispersed across the globe with extreme difficulties releasing players. However she always managed to succeed in fielding a competitive team.
In particular she has succeeded with limited support. She is indeed a “one woman volunteer” who has done it all for her Corps and is respected throughout the Womens game.
Coach of the Year presented by DCGS
Winner: WO1 Simon “Dinger” Bell (RLC)
In his final season as Army FA Head Coach this season the Army retained the Men Inter Services for a third successive season. The 7-3 victory versus Royal Navy was the highest aggregate Inter Services score for 59 years. The 11 goals scored by the Army was the highest since 1962. It has been a marvellous team effort led by this individual who is stepping down to concentrate on other commitments within the civilian game of which we wish him every success.
Lifetime Achievement Awards presented by DCGS
Winners: SSgt Declan Ford (REME)
The Lifetime Achievement Award is to recognise contributions over the whole career, rather than or in addition to single contributions. This year we have two awards.
The first Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Referee, SSgt Declan Ford who is leaving the Army after 23 years service. He has been dedicated, committed, selfless and inspirational. His contribution to Army Football has been immense.
During that time he has:
- Officiated as a Football League official (and officiated at Wembley in the 2010 Football League Play off Final between Dagenham and Redbridge and Rotherham United)
- Instigated the Army Referees Academy.
- National Tutor
- Responsible for Army Promotions
- Served as Executive Committee member since 2005.
- Meritorious Service Award Winner.
- Awarded Army Cap.
- Refereed the Army FA 125th Anniversary match between Roy Hodgson’s FA XI and the Army at Reading FC.
Lifetime Achievement 2nd Award
Winner: WO1 Ellis Langford
Ellis is the epitome of a top level sportsman who has represented and coached at the highest levels in Defence for past 24 years.
Since 1994 this individual as player/captain and coach has won:
- Army Challenge Cup
- Jubilee Cup
- 14 X RLC Unit competitions
- Massey Trophy X 4
- Woolwich Cup
- He represented the Army on 75 occasions winning the Inter Services twice
- Army Player of the Year (05/06)
- Between 2002/07 played and captained Combined Services and won Kentish Cup.
Army Sergeant Majors Coin presented by WO1 Glenn Haughton, Army Sergeant Major
Winner: SSgt Dave Tuck (Royal Signals)
The Army Sergeant Major Coin is presented to those who have excelled in a particular field.
The annual Army Football Association Road Show visits Premiership and Championship Football Clubs during a 14 day period in the summer months and supports CGS’s intent that the Army should be representative of British Society and to promote the utility and relevance of the Army in society via a number of engagement themes which sets the tone and conditions for accessing talent through recruiting. Through the Road Show engagements it is hoped that the Army is seen as a diverse and inclusive employer and that it further develops GOC RC’s theme of promoting better understanding of the Army in British Society.
The Road Show consists of 8 military personnel, male and female. It is an opportunity to further develop a relationship between the British Army and Professional Football Clubs, through football, whilst supporting youth development and education; Civil Engagement through Sport.
Employer Recognition Scheme Award
Winner: Shahid Azeem, Aldershot Town FC Chairman
Aldershot Town FC at a recent Tri-Service Selection Board has achieved Silver on the Employer Recognition Scheme Award as part of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant Scheme. This award is in recognition of the clubs support for local Garrison personnel. Established in 2013 the Covenant is a promise between the nation, government and Armed Forces to treat serving personnel, veterans and their families with respect. The club have been at the forefront of the Award and led all 68 member clubs of the Vanarama National League to a signing at a ceremony in November 2015 at the historic Wellington Conference Room at Horse Guards Parade.
Army FA mementos were presented to guests Paddy Barclay and Gary Mabbutt by DCGS