Devon County FA has been recognising the incredible contributions of our leagues, clubs, volunteers and match officials with over 170 people gathering at Sandy Park to celebrate the Devon Football Family Awards.
The evening honoured the outstanding achievements of those who make grassroots football in Devon truly special.
Hosted by Erin Black, a total of 40 awards were presented, including the County winners of the England Football Grassroots Football Awards, the locally recognised Devon Football Family Awards, celebrating dedication, inclusion, innovation and passion across the game as well as the FA’s long service to refereeing recognition
For the first time, two young volunteers were recognised for their outstanding starts to life within the Devon Football Family through the Stepping Over The Sidelines Award. Jake Wellington and Mille Lavercombe were presented the first edition of the award by the County FA’s Senior Delivery Officer for ED&I, Chloe Whitworth. Wellington joined the Devon County FA team 18 months ago through the organisation’s partnership with Exeter College and, despite having little football background, has been capturing the inspiring stories across Devon and turning them into content that you may have seen on social media. Lavercombe meanwhile took to coaching like a duck to water and has stepped up to help coach Fremington Under 8s. She has become a role model to the children at the club and always turns up with a smile, a positive attitude and endless encouragement for the players.
The top awards of the night, the England Football Lioness and Bobby Moore Award were awarded to Maria Spencer of Torquay Academy Sports Trust and Ashley Lowe of Braunton Wanderers respectively. Spencer is a hero in south Devon, with her infectious personality making her a firm favourite whether that be with her club or at the County Ground where she regularly volunteers for the County FA. Lowe is a similarly popular figure in the north of the County, and his contribution has been nothing short of foundational, ensuring players in Braunton have a positive, safe and respectful place to play football, from under six, all the way up to the men’s first team.
The Devon County FA Under 16 Girls’ representative team were also recognised on the night after they enjoyed a history-making season. Having captured an unprecedented treble, including the ESFA Inter-County Cup, the first national accolade for a female representative team from Devon, captain Chloe Curtis was awarded Player Of The Season, whilst head coach Dave Leonard, was recognised with the CEO Special Recognition Award for his commitment and contribution to our girls' representative teams.
As well as the awards presentation, guests were treated to inspiring words from two of Devon’s leading football figures. Matthew Taylor, manager of Exeter City, and Derek Adams Plymouth Argyle Director of Football put their club rivalry aside and spoke candidly about the importance of the grassroots game in their careers and how it supports the professional scene.
Following the awards, Devon County FA CEO, Chris French paid tribute to the entire Devon Football Family. He said: “It is so important we reward and recognise the amazing individuals, leagues and clubs, that make football in Devon what it is.
“Not everyone sees the late nights and early mornings that go into providing opportunities for others so for us to be able to pay tribute to them with occasions like this is really special and it is one of the highlights of our season
“We have over 3000 volunteers within the Devon Football Family, so being able to hear just a small number of these stories throughout the evening was truly inspiring and reminded us that football is about so much more than what happens on the pitch.
“On behalf of everyone at Devon County FA, congratulations to all of this year's recipients and thank you for everything you do for football across Devon.”
John Street, Devon County FA Chair of the Board of Directors, echoed French’s words and emphasised the strong position football in Devon is in. He added: “Whilst we face a unique and diverse set of challenges here in Devon, our Devon Football Family continue to strive to make football a more positive, respectful and inclusive place than ever before.
“This year we received more nominations than any year previous, making the job of our judging panel even harder, but it just proves that across Devon, we have a strong and thriving football community, which continues to grow.
“Without our volunteers, football in Devon simply wouldn’t be what it is, so to the entire Devon Football Family, thank you for what you do, your contributions are not going unrecognised.”
2026 Grassroots Football Award Winners
- Club of the Year: Horrabridge Rangers
- League of the Year: Devon Junior Minor League
- Match Official of the Year: Austin Jones
- Young Volunteer of the Year: Libby Jennings – Signal Box Frankfort
- New Volunteer of the Year: Kimberley Williams
- Positive Behaviour Award: Chris Pring – Railway Beacons
- Grounds Team of the Year: Adam Mitchell – Torrington Football Club
- Coach of the Year Female Pathway: Kerry Gibbings – Horrabridge Rangers
- Coach of the Year Male Pathway: James Barnard - Fremington
- Coach of the Year Disability Pathway: Pam Salter – Exmouth Tigers
- The Lioness Award: Maria Spencer – Torquay Academy Sports Trust & Devon County FA
- The Bobby Moore Award: Ashley Lowe – Braunton FC
- Devon Football Family Award Winners
- Long Service Award North: Jane Huxtable – Barnstaple Town
- Long Service Award South: Posthumously Barry Hayward
- Long Service Award West: Laurence Reed
- Long Service Award East: Mary Avery - Crediton United
- The Charles Norsworthy Award North: Boca Seniors Under 18s
- The Charles Norsworthy Award South: Broadhempston United
- The Charles Norsworthy Award West: Lydford Foxes
- The Charles Norsworthy Award East: Alphington
- The Charles Norsworthy Award Overall: Broadhempston United
- The Paul Morrison Club Official of the Year: Ian Mullholland – Horrabridge Rangers
- Safeguarding Award: Amy Haworth – Stoke Gabriel & Torbay Police
- Recreational Session of the Year: Joe Gerraghty & WeDoFootball
- Community Facility of the Year: Foulston Park
- Duncan Underhill Young Referee of the Year: George Budden
- Referee Developer of the Year: Eddie Green
- Community Engagement Award: University Of Exeter
- Goal For The Planet Award: Colyton Youth
- Devon FA Girls Representative Team Player of the Season: Chloe Curtis
- Devon FA Boys Representative Team Player of the Season: Travis Goodall
- CEO Special Recognition Award: Dave Leonard
- New for 2026 The Stepping Over The Sidelines Young Volunteer Male – Jake Wellington
- New for 2026 The Stepping Over The Sidelines Young Volunteer Female Millie Lavercombe