EAST Lancashire Football Alliance put on their Sunday best to receive a double Wembley honour.

The league were recognised for their outstanding sportsmanship , and Football Association chairman Greg Dyke was on hand to award the main prize at last Sunday’s Community Shield Final.

Dyke, speaking at the 2015 FA Community Awards, praised the East Lancashire Alliance for their ‘brilliant efforts’ and secretary Craig Wilkinson and vice-chairman Peter Thornton picked up the award on behalf of the league.

And with one of the league’s members – Abu Hanifah Foundation FC – landing the Charter Standard Club of the Year prize, it proved to be one of the biggest days in the league’s recent history.

“We try and encourage our players to always respect the opposition and officials, so for our efforts to be recognised in that way with this award is an absolute honour,” said the league’s chairman John McGregor.

“We award medals and trophies for sportsmanship, so we always see it is a very important part of our league. Football is not just about winning.”

Abu Hanifah Foundation, formed in 2013, were also at Wembley to receive their award.

“It is an incredible achievement by them, but AHF FC deserved to win the award for all their hard work and initiative,” added McGregor.

“They are a very go ahead club, with some great people doing some fantastic community work at football’s grassroots.”

League officials were also given five pairs of tickets for England’s Euro 2016 clash against Switzerland at Wembley next month in recognition of their outstanding efforts.

“There’s some amazing things going on in grassroots football all over the country and Abu Hanifah Foundation is a great example of that.

“They have shown great dedication and commitment, promoting some superb ideas in the community, and I can’t speak too highly of what they have achieved over the last couple of years.

“There’s some great people involved there, and they should be congratulated.”