Staffordshire FA were delighted to surprise Tom Lees with an Outstanding Contribution to Grassroots Football Award, in recognition of nearly 50 years of dedication to local grassroots football in Stoke-on- Trent.

During that time Tom has been involved in the running of many local football clubs, including The Bellringer FC, Eaton Park FC, The Hillberry FC and Hanley Town FC, to name but a few. Tom’s passion for local football and for the communities around those clubs has been an inspiration to many, not least the many players who have played under Tom’s stewardship. 

Having been involved with Saturday and Sunday football for so many decades, and barely missed a game during that time, Tom’s popularity with the players and local communities that he has worked with has shone through when discussing this award with people who know him well. 

Tom lives and breathes football, also being a passionate supporter of Stoke City in addition to his commitments to grassroots football, and now in his mid-eighties he’s showing no signs of that passion for the game dwindling any time soon. 

Grassroots football clubs are very fortunate to have people like Tom who are so dedicated to providing opportunities for people to play football, and Staffordshire FA were delighted to recognise Tom’s outstanding contribution to grassroots football with this award.