The annual Durham FA awards were held at the Ramside Hall Hotel in Durham this month.
These awards recognise the dedication of coaches and volunteers to their grassroots club.
This year two volunteers from Newton Aycliffe Youth FC were give an award in recognition of 25 years’ service to the club.
Secretary Berni Borsberry started with the club in 1997, as a parent helping his son’s team, eventually managing the team and completing the FA Coaching qualifications.
Also recognised on the evening was Peter Robinson (although due to a pre booked holiday couldn’t attend the event) who, like Berni, started as a parent helper and following Berni into coaching.
Together they set up the first boys football development sessions at the club for young boys aged seven or even younger, which became our Little Eagles Academy.
In 2004 Berni set up a girl’s development section, this then was part of the initial trial of the FA initiative, Wildcats.
Both continued developing boys and girls, but also moved into help the administration side of the club, with Berni becoming club secretary in 2006 and Peter becoming child welfare officer in 2008.
Peter recently retired form his roles in the club but Berni continues to drive the club forward as secretary.
The club said it expressed their wholehearted gratitude for the time and dedication that both have given to NAYFC.