Release Date: 23/11/2009

With support from the European Union, Community Relations Council, Pobal and Belfast City Council, the IFA hosted a memorable Football For All Unsung Hero Awards Night in the Great Hall at Belfast City Hall on Saturday night.

Charismatic Football For All Ambassador Colin Murray hosted the prestigious event which recognises the football volunteers who promote respect through football and make such meaningful contributions to the community.

Also there to show their support for the IFA’s Football For All campaign and the valuable work of the unsung heroes who support Football For All, were Northern Ireland Manager, Nigel Worthington; Belfast Lord Mayor and Football For All Government Champion, Naomi Long; Chief Executive of the Community Relations Council, Dr Duncan Morrow; Belfast Celtic legend, Jimmy Jones; rugby legend and Northern Ireland football fan, Trevor Ringland MBE and former international player, Philip Mulryne.

Football For All Unsung Hero Award Winners 2009:

• Inaugural FFA Legend Award – Belfast Celtic legend Jimmy Jones.

FFA Unsung Hero Awards:

• Crusaders FC’s Mark Langhammer (for visionary cross community work);
• World United Manager Paul Moffett (for innovative anti-racism work);
• Lisburn Distillery FC’s Paul Kalla (for outstanding domestic community relations work);
• Newtownabbey Strikers FC’s Stephen Calvert (for outstanding contribution to women’s football);
• Moyola Park’s Jillian Lennox (for outstanding contribution to football as an unsung hero);
• Ballymena’s Billy O’Flaherty (for inspirational community relations work);
• Special Olympics Ulster’s Declan O’Neill (for outstanding contribution to disability football).

FFA Lifetime Achievement Award Winner 2009:

• St Oliver Plunkett’s Jackie Maxwell.

Speaking at the end of the night an inspired Nigel Worthington, said: “Football For All gives us all a shared and common goal, to make the sport of football more fun, safe and inclusive. Football For All unites the football family in Northern Ireland and it is an honour for me to support this event.”

An emotional Jimmy Jones commented: “I had a fantastic night and it meant a great deal to me and my family to receive a surprise award.” Jimmy started his playing career with Shankill Young Men before going on to star for Belfast Celtic and Glenavon in the Irish League. He is the all time highest goalscorer in the history of the Irish League and was capped by Northern Ireland.

St Oliver Plunkett’s Jackie Maxwell added: “I am surprised and delighted to receive the FFA Lifetime Achievement Award. Football is a big part of my life and to have this recognition from the football community is very rewarding.” Jackie has been involved in youth football for more than 50 years. A founding member of St Oliver Plunkett Boys Club, he has overseen the development of one of the most progress boys’ clubs in Northern Ireland.

Football For All Ambassador, Colin Murray, summed up his feeling on hosting his third annual FFA Awards: “It just gets better and better very year. The Football For All Awards mean so much to people because they are focused on the most important people in football - the volunteers who give so much to the community. These Awards are like a family event and I cannot wait to volunteer to support it all over again next year!”

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