Last updated at 12:44, Wednesday, 28 July 2010

Keen teenager Liam Jackson, from Carlisle, has been named FA Young Volunteer of the year for the North West.

Liam Jackson with referee Howard Webb

And in a notable double for the county, Cleator Moor Celtic have beaten off competition from clubs across the region to lift the Charter Standard Community Club of the Year award.

The accolades were two of only six North West community awards handed out, delighting Cumberland FA officials.

“This goes a long way to highlight just how good a job the grassroots clubs and volunteers are doing in our county,” said FA development officer Craig Lewis.

Jackson and Celtic went on to contest the regional awards after scooping community awards, presented by McDonald’s, at county level.

“Liam is player, referee and coaching assistant all rolled in to one successful package,” added Lewis.

“As a volunteer aged only 16-years-old, Liam has already contributed in so many ways to the development of football.”

As a player he trains with Northbank FC and also referees for the Cumberland FA, taking charge of the Tesco Under-13 County Cup final at Gillford Park within 12 months of becoming a ref.

He is also a volunteer coaching assistant for Carlisle City FC, coaching kids of six and seven, and during the past 12 months he has successfully completed the Junior Football Organisers Course, Safeguarding Children Module, and the FA Young Leader Course. Lewis also praised the massive role Celtic had played in their community at Cleator Moor.

He said: “Less than 10 years ago the club had one adult team and three youth teams, all of which were run out of an old school room.

“Through much hard work they managed to get a grant which enabled the club to build a new clubhouse to match their ever-increasing playing numbers.

“These numbers have grown year-on-year over the 10-year period, to where they proudly sit today.”

Celtic now boast two adult teams and a colossal 12 youth sides.

Other winners at the county awards, presented at The Greenhill Hotel, Wigton, included coach of the year Andrew Laidlow, in charge of Northbank’s Under-11s, and Peter Renwick, of Castletown Junior FC, in Penrith, named volunteer of the year.

Edenvale Juniors, formed only four years ago, were Charter Standard club of the year.

“Following the award of Charter Standard in 2007 the club have continued to grow from strength to strength with playing provision now up to eight teams in 2010,” Lewis said.

“This open door policy is providing excellent opportunities for boys and girls to come along and play from the age of six in the Stanwix area of Carlisle.”

Whitehaven club Bransty Rangers FC were Charter Standard development club of the year.

Lewis said: “Through the school-club link programme, Bransty have established excellent relations with both Bransty and St James Infant and Junior schools to give children of a younger age the chance to take part in a safe, friendly environment.

This tremendous hard work and effort from the clubs volunteers has culminated in the club providing under-sevens and under-eights teams for the school children to filter in to.”

First published at 11:28, Wednesday, 28 July 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk