On Sunday 2nd August, local football club AHF FC from Blackburn in Lancashire attended the 2015 FA Community Awards national ceremony, presented by McDonald’s, held at Wembley, to collect their award after being named the winner of the prestigious FA Charter Standard Club of the Year Award.

The FA and McDonald’s Community Awards, now in their sixth year, recognise and celebrate volunteers, coaches, clubs and leagues across England whose hard work ensures the ongoing success grassroots football in local communities.

AHF FC achieved Charter Standard status in its first year and has recently gained the FA Respect Award. Founded in 2013 with 60 children it has since grown to nearly 300 boys and girls attending the academy every Saturday. The academy has an excellent ethos of positive encouragement and technical development of the children, run via 15 coaches with a mix of level 1 and level 2 qualifications. Additionally 17 of the club’s volunteers have developed into referees which assist in the local leagues. AHF is working closely to strengthen links with Manchester City to provide development opportunities for children within the community, many from different backgrounds and faiths.

At the ceremony on Sunday, AHF FC collected their award from football legend Martin Keown, ahead of the FA Community Shield which was hotly contested by football giants Arsenal and Chelsea. At the half time break, AHF FC then joined World Cup winner Sir Geoff on the pitch in front of the capacity crowd.

The national ceremony, held at the curtain raiser for this year’s football season, took place after thousands of nominations were received across the nation, with grassroots football volunteers, clubs and leagues being recognised at county and regional level, for this year’s FA and McDonald’s Community Awards.

McDonald’s Director of Football, Sir Geoff Hurst, part of the national judging panel comments: “AHF FC embodies the spirit of a grassroots football. The dedication and commitment they have shown is incredible and they are undoubtedly deserving of this recognition. Our national game relies upon people like AHF FC at a grassroots level. Without their commitment, young footballers in this country couldn’t continue to develop or thrive. It was a great pleasure to meet them on Sunday and give them my congratulations on winning the award in person”

To find out more about each of the winners go to www.mcdonalds.co.uk/awards