SOMERSET Football Association held its annual ‘County Awards Evening’ on Friday, June 2 at Somerset County Cricket Club’s ground in Taunton.

The evening was an opportunity for Somerset FA to recognise outstanding contribution and achievement in football from leagues, clubs and volunteers within the county over the last 12 months.

With more than 160 people in attendance, awards were presented for 18 different categories.

Those categories were sponsored by McDonalds through The FA’s Community Awards scheme, and selected awards were also sponsored by Ivan & Rendall and Co Accountants, and Huish Sport.

Special guests included the FA’s women’s refereeing manager Jo Stimpson and Somerset FA’s board of directors.

Award winners included Taunton Youth League (taking the Charter Standard League of the Season award for the third year running), Fabio Roque (Referee of the Season – Male), Stacey Pearson (Referee of the Season – Female), Joe Rout (Young Referee of the Season) and Ryan Blackman (Keith Buller Outstanding Achievement in Refereeing Award).

Brenda Smith (Spaxton Juniors) won the Welfare Officer of the Season award, while Yeovil Town Ladies took the special recognition award for their rapid rise through the female league pyramid up to Women’s Super League 1.

The Somerset Under-18s team were also hailed for winning the South West County Championship for the first time in 14 years.

Somerset FA chief executive Jon Pike said: “To win one of these awards is very difficult, as we are very lucky in Somerset to have many excellent volunteers at clubs throughout the county. 

“While we are recognising the very best of our volunteers, I should also like to thank all of our volunteer workforce, without which grassroots football could not survive. 

“The strength of the game in Somerset is in large part due to their effort.”