A NUMBER of volunteers were recognised for their dedication to local football when the Dorset County FA held its annual volunteer awards evening at Ashley Wood Golf Club.

Chickerell United’s Dave Drage received the Special Achievement Award for outstanding service as a volunteer, following 17 years of continuous service to his club.

His hard work ethic and focus on bringing quality coaching to Chickerell has turned the club into one of the most well respected grassroots clubs in Dorset.

Drage is constantly involved in fundraising for both the senior and youth teams, lending a hand at race nights and bingo, and arranging sponsored walks.

Coach of the Year went to David Clarke of Branksome United, who has been involved with seven teams at the club and introduced a youth set-up in his 12 years there.

The award for Outstanding Service as a player went to Paul Roast of Wimborne Town and Steve ‘Taffy’ Richardson from Poole Town.

Roast is the current longest serving player at Wimborne, having joined the club in 2000 and made 416 appearances.

Richardson is an icon at Poole and has a desire to give something back to the game by turning his hand to coaching children.

Mike Gawler received the Outstanding Service as a Referee accolade after giving excellent service to refereeing over many seasons in a variety of roles.

The Club of the Year award went to Corfe Mullen Juniors.

The club is just 10 years old but has seen tremendous development and expansion.

The final award was the Chair-man’s Award for Outstanding Service to a Youth Club, and this went to Peter Hughes of Brank-some United Youth.