MAXIE SWAIN talks to IFA / MCDONALD’S 20 Facing PSV at Mourneview is second best to Lisburn Junior League for People’s cha

DEREK has dedicated his time over many years at Shankill Juniors and the surrounding community. As a coach he works with under age teams through to Under 16’s and was the driving force in creating the mini soccer centre and also the Sunday toddler sessions.

He is respected and highly thought of in and around the community for all of his efforts to provide football alternatives to young people who otherwise may fall into negative behaviours. He organises club visits and football tours – all to inspire the players and promote the club. CHRIS is an incredibly talented young coach that does so much to develop his coaching techniques and styles to engage grassroots footballers at Mountjoy FC.

His coaching style focuses on developing the individuals and as secretary of the club he often receives messages of support from opposition clubs on the sides behaviour and style of play.

The squad were awarded the BKYL fair play award for 2016 which is marked by the opposition in terms of players, coaches and fans behaviour. In addition to the brilliant work being done with the 2004 group, Chris also coaches the 2010 age group at our mini soccer and has brought them to the SSG centre at the Bawnacre. In addition this he also plays a fundamental role in developing new coaches within the club and also looks after the social media aspect of the club. Chris is clearly a coach to watch for the future. HE may have locked horns with football royalty during his pomp – but for Stanley Sheppard, nothing beats the satisfaction of seeing kids strut their stuff in the Lisburn Invitational League.

During his Glenavon heyday in the early Seventies, the former Lurgan Blues ace featured in many a memorable European night at Mourneview when giants of their day like Standard Liege and PSV Eindhoven rolled into town.

They are proud moments in his life; anecdotes with which he can regale the fledgling footballers under his watch and the highlights of a career cruelly cut short by a cruciate ligament injury at just 27.

Yet Sheppard insists his feats on the pitch have long since been eclipsed and surpassed by his achievements off it.

Indeed, as the current chairman and one of the longest serving members of the Lisburn Invitational League, the cradle of so many professional footballers since its inception in 1990, not to mention the current and past Northern Ireland international teams, Sheppard’s legacy is remarkable.

And last Thursday night, it was fitting that the game gave something back when the 64-yearold’s dedication and contribution was recognised in the form of the People’s Award at this year’s Irish FA Mcdonald’s Community Awards bash at Derry’s Guildhall.

“I can’t get over it to be honest,” said Sheppard as he reflected on his honour.

“I wasn’t expecting anything at all, even to get a nomination, it just came out of the blue but I am chuffed to bits, it’s such a fantastic award and I’m just really, really pleased with it.”

Having spent his whole life involved in football, it’s fair to say the sport has enriched Sheppard’s life.

The game has been good to him, but he’s been good for the game too as one of the main driving forces behind a brilliant youth league which has become the envy of the country and which has for nigh on 30 years been churning out the best players in the country, including the likes of Aaron Hughes, Neil Lennon, David

Healy and the Evans brothers

Jonny and Corry.

“The league started off with about 15 teams and it just blossomed from there,” said

Sheppard.

“We had teams coming from everywhere, from Warrenpoint, Annalong, Ballymena, Coleraine even… and they all seem to be happy and they all seem to think we are doing a good job.

“We treat everyone the same, it doesn’t matter where you are from, what walk of life you come from, as far as we are concerned, it is a league for the kids and to get them off the street and to give them something positive to do and hopefully they end up being better people for it.

“I had a couple of highlights during my career when I played for Glenavon, but it tops all that when I’m out there on a Saturday morning.”

On the genesis of the league, Sheppard says he was responding to what he felt was a serious inadequacy in youth football in the area. PAT NEESON is the Child Welfare Officer (CWO) at Carryduff Colts FC. There are approximately 68 coaches, 14 South Belfast Youth League teams, 7 mini soccer year groups made up of around 3-4 small sided teams per age group (5 A side) and 2 senior teams at 11 a side. No coach escapes without completing and re-validating safeguarding training within the specified timescales. Pat is pro-active in ensuring policies and procedures are “There was a need for what we were doing,” he added. “And fair play to the council in Lisburn, they opened up all their pitches and let us play games back-to-back on a Saturday morning and it meant we could bring in more teams.”

The awards, now in their 16th year, recognise the incredible work and commitment of volunteers within grassroots football in Northern Ireland.

The presentation ceremony took place this evening at the Guildhall in Derry-londonderry. More than 180 guests were there to celebrate and recognise the highest ever number of nominations across nine regional and national award categories.

Special guests included Mcdonald’s NI football ambassador Pat Jennings, former Northern Ireland international Jim Magilton and the in place and followed by everyone. This ranges from regular training/matches, provision of transport and residential trips as well as disseminating and adhering to codes of conduct.

Any issues that are raised at club level are dealt with sensitively and appropriately as well as those with opposing clubs. Pat’s attention to detailed is unrivalled which is helping Carryduff Colts FC be a genuine club for all Deputy Mayor of Derry City & Strabane District Council John Boyle who helped celebrate the stars of grassroots football in Northern Ireland.

Other winners on the night included Mcdonald’s Football Mum of the Year Donna Maxwell, who has been pivotal to the growth of girls’ football at Belfast Swifts FC for a number of years, and Volunteer of the Year Derek Dunwoody, who has dedicated his time over many years to Belfast-based Shankill Juniors and the surrounding community.

Speaking after the awards Mcdonald’s Head of Northern Ireland football Pat Jennings said: “Each year I look forward to celebrating the dedicated and hardworking football volunteers across Northern Ireland.

“Grassroots is such an essential part of football, without the dedication and hard work from volunteers, young players wouldn’t be able to experience the game as they do now.

“Well done to all those that won awards and for all those hundreds of others who do so much to allow all children the opportunity to play football in a fun and engaging environment.” THIS award cate close to call the decided that bo Stephen would prestigious awa Kelly Crompton Swifts at the ag and she has giv the Club over th has played in bo teams and now Swifts Ladies te

PAS gam scor