Manchester FA held it’s annual Grassroots Awards at the Sheridan Suite on Friday (15th November) evening, and Keith Marsden took centre stage as he was awarded the prestigious Frank Hannah Lifetime Achievement Award.
The LMC managed to keep the award a secret right up to the announcement by Manchester FA CEO Colin Bridgford as Keith received the richly deserved accolade in recognition of nearly sixty years service to grassroots football.
Keith Marsden is a true legend of the Lancashire and Cheshire AFL in which has been involved with in a variety of roles for well over 50 years.
Keith attended the Manchester FA Annual Awards Ceremony in the Sheridan Suite in East Manchester, along with several other L&C committee members, totally unaware of what was in store for him.
One of the top awards of the night is the Frank Hannah Lifetime Achievement Award for services to football in Greater Manchester.
Keith was totally gobsmacked when he was announced as the winner and received great applause and congratulations on going up to the stage to receive the award.
He has since received numerous congratulations from across the Manchester Soccer World for his well deserved award.
Keith outlined his life in football which led to his receiving of the award: “It all started when I was taken to see York City from the age of five."
“I was there for their greatest achievement in reaching the FA Cup semi-final against Newcastle United in 1955 (they drew and lost the replay)."
“I played soccer at school and carried on playing when I came to Manchester University in 1963, just in time for some excellent days at United and the opportunity to watch England win the World Cup in 1966."
“Following University I stayed in Manchester and eventually started a long association with Bedians FC in Didsbury, having different spells in their second, third and fourth teams."
“I was club secretary for a number of years and after the wooden clubhouse was burned down in 1990 I was made chairman of the whole club."
“It took us three years to raise the necessary funds and build the new clubhouse, which is the one you see today on Millgate Fields."
“Once the new club was set up and running I was invited back onto the L&C Committee as Vice Chairman and I took over the role as Chair in 1997."
“I held that role until the League’s Centenary in 2009, when I felt it was time for some fresh ideas so I stepped down but have remained on the committee until the present time."
“Having retired from work in 2003 I was able to accept an invitation to join as a volunteer at Manchester FA in 2011 and over time graduated to become the Leader of the Council, before the structure was changed to its current format."
“I now Chair the Leagues Working Group and am a member of the Regulations Strategy Group, in addition to being a qualified Chair of FA Regional Disciplinary Hearings."
“All in all these involvements help me maintain my interest in the sport and enjoy the many friendships which have come through football."
“In addition to being at Wembley in 1966 the other highlights of my football life have been watching United complete the treble in Barcelona in 1999 and hosting the League’s Centenary Dinner in 2009 with our guests being Sir Trevor Brooking and an up-and-coming comedian, ex Bedians footballer John Bishop.”
There were also other awards with L&C interest, most notably that of Referee of the Year for Feriuz ABDULLAHI, who made a great impression in the League culminating in a cup final appointment, and the Bernard Halford Club Secretary of the Year Award for Keith LONG, who many will remember from Beechfield United’s membership in the L&C.
Tony FEARON of Sublime Athletic and Ross ELLIOTT and Mark JACKSON, both of AFC Oldham, collected 15 Year Service Awards, and Peter BIRD, also of AFC Oldham, picked up a 50 Year Service Award.
There were also nominations for the following, congratulations to you all:
New Volunteer of the Year – Geord KAY of Didsbury FC
Young Volunteer of the Year – Sheree FEARON of Sublime Athletic
Coach of the Year: Male Pathway – Graeme KAY and Graham CARTER of Didsbury FC, Michael HAZELDINE of AFC Monton, Tony and Sheree FEARON of Sublime Athletic
Referee of the Year – Charlie HIBBERT and Martin FLYNN
Grounds Team of the Year – Didsbury FC
Club of the Year – Sublime Athletic
Our thanks go to everyone at Manchester FA for a thoroughly enjoyable evening.