Frank James heads up to collect his Middlesex FA Community Award for Outstanding Contribution to football

Volunteer Stories

The people behind the football

Volunteers can often be the unsung heroes of grassroots football.

However, here at Middlesex FA, we want to make sure their hard work, dedication and success is celebrated.
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Not only to give the volunteers the recognition that they deserve, but also to inspire others to get involved.

Here are the stories of just a few of the thousands of grassroots heroes that can be found week in, week out in Middlesex football.
grassroots hero

Frank James

The recipient of the Middlesex FA's Outstanding Contribution to Community Football Award (People's Award), Frank has been involved in grassroots football for the majority of his life. He started CB Hounslow in 1989 with one team and has now grown it to become a Step 5 team with Saturday and Sunday sides, an Under 21 team and boys' and girls' youth teams from under 7s to under 18s. Frank has worked tirelessly to help as many young people as possible in the local community and as well as dedicating his time to CB Hounslow, chairs the Middlesex County League, is a member of the Middlesex FA Inclusion and Advisory Group and Commercial Advisory Board and also runs his own business.
watch frank's story
Frank James of CB Hounslow FC is presented with his award
Grassroots hero

Michelle NielsenĀ 

Michelle Nielsen has run Hounslow Hawks FC for over 10 years. The club provide regular football sessions for adults with mental health problems. Michelle was also one of two people who founded the North West London Mental Health League and more recently, has opened up sessions at the club for the county's entire mental health community.

watch michelle's story
Michelle Nielsen of Hounslow Hawks FC collects her award
grassroots heroes

Ickenham youth fc

The fantastic volunteer workforce at Ickenham Youth FC have allowed the club to significantly develop and grow over the last few seasons. They have sought and utilised funding, developed new teams and encouraged players aged 16-18 to complete coaching qualifications. They are now one of the biggest clubs in Middlesex and engage with the wider community to provide football opportunities for all in and around Ickenham. They have also supported disability football in schools and are introducing walking football sessions for parents.

watch ickenham's story
Ickenham Youth representatives
grassroots hero

Mick Geraghty

One of the driving forces behind the popularity of Walking Football in Middlesex, Mick has got many people who thought they would never be playing football again, back in the game. As well as running a session every Friday night (which has around 40 participants), Mick organises games against other groups, tournaments, charity events and international trips. He is also a volunteer at a local disability team and delivers walking football sessions at care homes in Hillingdon.

watch mick's story
Mick Geraghty of Uxbridge Amblers collects his community award

Have a story to tell?

Tell us about a #GrassrootsHero in your local community.  

By Email: marketing@middlesexfa.com