THE ENGLAND FOOTBALL GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL AWARDS RECOGNISE AND CELEBRATE THE PEOPLE WHO PUT THEIR HEART AND SOUL INTO THE GRASSROOTS GAME ACROSS ENGLAND, AND TO SAY A HUGE THANK YOU TO THE INCREDIBLE VOLUNTEERS WHO INSPIRE US ALL.

All our winners have encouraged the very best, both in yourself and in everybody around them. They have risen to overcome challenges and made a truly positive impact in the game.

Liverpool FA are so proud and happy to have them in our Merseyside grassroots community.

Grassroots Club of the Year – Berkley Junior FC

Berkley JFC promote a positive, supporting and thriving environment for all within the club. They have over 200 children registered across 14 teams from U7 to U17, and the club continues to go from strength to strength.

The club employs an ‘everyone plays’ approach ensures that every child at the club is highly motivated to attend training sessions as they recognise they are part of the team and will play in matches. This is emphasised by the fact some children who have been with the club since U6 are now in the U17 team.

The success of Berkley JFC is down to the fantastic volunteers who spend hours of their own time ensuring pitches are of a high standard and playable throughout the season.

Grassroots League of the Year - Merseyside Inclusion League 

The Merseyside Inclusion League is open to everyone from all backgrounds and is all about making sure people can play together in a safe environment.

This life-changing league has helped turn people's lives around, and the support everbody has from their teammates is invaluable.

Players say 'there is no other league like it' across the area and that the togetherness is nothing they have experienced before, and that is all down to the way the league is organised.

Grassroots Coach of the Year (Male Pathway) - David McCormack

Larger-than-life Glaswegian David 'Haggis' McCormack has changed many people's lives for the better by setting up the Merseyside Inclusion League. His league is all about players supporting each other through mental health struggles using the power of football.

David has overcome huge challenges in his own life and is now putting an immense amount of work into the league to give back to the community.

David is a role model for some many people and his journey of coming back from drink and drug addiction is an inspiration to many. His work has helped volunteer numbers surge across grassroots football in Liverpool.

Grassroots Coach of the Year (Female Pathway) - Kevin Larkin

Kevin dedicates every day to growing the girls’ game and giving them great opportunities. He started the Mattihola girls a year ago with a Wildcats session which had 12 girls in attendance. Since then, it has grown to five teams with over 60 girls playing competitive football, helping to grow the game in the local area and provide a pathway.
Kevin also takes after school football clubs at two schools and takes the children to school tournaments.

He cares deeply about creating equality and opportunities for the girls’ game. He is loved by all the children and has a special way of making them feel good.

Grassroots Coach of the Year (Disability Pathway) – Steve Woodrow  

Steve's work at Liverpool Transplant FC is well known across the area. He oversees four teams at the club, where he provides a safe place for all players, supports their mental and physical health and is always available for advice. Despite being hospital recently, he was available online for guidance and kept supporting the team.

Grassroots New Volunteer of the Year - Jack Davies

Football is everything to 13-year-old Jack. Not only does he play football, he's always on hand to help other teams at schools, presentation day and soccer camps for MSB Woolton FC.

He's also one of the youngest members of the club's committee and always has a positive attitude. He plays a huge role in the club's fundraising efforts and also helps collecting and redistributing rubbish to ensure it does not go to landfill unnecessarily. He does all of the above whilst studying and caring for his family.

Despite his young years, he shows an immense level of maturity and really represents the motto - we get out of life what we put into it.

Grassroots Young Volunteer of the Year - Ethan Davies 

Ethan, 18, has been volunteering at MSB Woolton since he was just four years old!

In addition to helping out off the field, he is always on hand to pass on his advice and experience of goalkeeping to the academy players on Saturday mornings.

Whether it's a smile, a coaching session, or just a little word of encouragement when things are not going brilliantly, Ethan is a valuable asset to the club and community. At the heart of everything he does is bringing out the best in people.

The Lioness Award - Inclusion Plus FC

Inclusion Plus FC is a grassroots football team for women, transgender and none-binary set up by Jassmin Backland, Rhian Backland and Michelle Gillett.

The team ethos is promoting a safe space for everyone irrespective of race, sexuality, age and ability.

Everyone who plays for the team has grown both as a player and a person, with some players saying the team has 'saved their life' and given them confidence away from the pitch.

The club hold mental health workshops for players, and ensure everyone who walks through the doors is accepted and can be themselves.

Grassroots Match Official of the Year - Tom King

Tom is a valued member of the refereeing community in Merseyside and is highly respected by players for his fair but firm approach to the game. 

He is very caring and always takes time out to speak to managers and players on and off the pitch.

Positive Football Environment Award - Mossley Hill Athletic

Mossley Hill welcome children from many different backgrounds and successfully integrate them into the team, bringing a sense of belonging and enjoyment to all the players.

The club also set up their girls' team back in 2002 and it has grown exponentially in the 25 years it has been going.

The club regularly win the Fair Play Trophy due to the conduct of everyone at the club, especially Chairman Rob Wells, who has been coaching grassroots teams for over 40 years.

The club and Rob are held in high regard by everyone in the local community, from oppositions coaches and referees to parents and players.