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Dreams do come true...

Thomas is The FA national Supporter of the Year award winner 2019

Dreams do come true...

On Sunday 4th of August, the winners of this years' FA & McDonalds’ Grassroots Football Awards were announced and celebrated at Wembley stadium ahead of the Community Shield between Liverpool v Manchester City.

Amongst this group of inspirational grassroots football heroes was 14 year old, Thomas Woodrow from Berkshire. At the end of June this year, Thomas was award the title of Berks & Bucks FA Supporter of the Year in our County FA Awards and on Sunday, was also recognised by The FA and McDonald's as the national winner of the category.

During the ceremony held at the national Stadium, Thomas was presented with his Award by former Liverpool player, Danny Murphy, before re-receiving his award on the Wembley pitch at half-time from England legend, Sir Geoff Hurst. In addition, and I'm sure to Thomas's suprise he was also asked to present the 'Man of the Match' Award to Manchester City's, Kevin De Bruyne, live on BT Sport.

Selected from over 4,906 nominations from across England, these awards celebrate the people who make grassroots football happen week-in, week-out. 

From supporters, referees, coaches or volunteers, our winners demonstrate the values and behaviours which mean grassroots football can be the best place for people to play and enjoy football for all.

This year’s winners are:

Grassroots Coach of the Year - Lizzie Pacey
Grassroots Club of the Year - Chadderton Park Sports Club
Grassroots League of the Year - Mid Lancashire Colts Junior Football League
Grounds Team of the Year - Tony Sanders
Grassroots Match Official of the Year - Chad Roberts
Grassroots Volunteer of the Year - James Galt
Rising Star of the Year - Asha Mohamud & Ali Zaman
Grassroots Supporter of the Year - Thomas Woodrow
Grassroots Project of the Year - Follo FC
'We Only Do Positive' Respect Award – Shropshire Junior Football League
Bobby Moore Award – Paul Rimmer

The quality of the nominations for the Grassroots Awards this year were outstanding. Thank you to everyone who nominated their own Grassroots heroes.

If you would like to find out more about our winners’ stories and to view videos of the other winners' stories in detail please visit: www.TheFA.com/McDonaldsGrassrootsawards

Finally, from everyone at Berks & Bucks FA we'd like to congratulate Thomas, his family, friends and teammates on a fanastic acheivement. Additionally, thank you again to each and every person who nominated in this year's awards and to all our thousands of dedicated volunteers across the game; it's you that make these events possible.

We can't wait for nominations in next year's Awards to open already; who knows, maybe this could be you next year?...

View photos of the Berks & Bucks FA Grassroots Football Awards Evening