Lee Cockerill shortlisted for Manchester FA Grassroots Volunteer of the Year award

Lee Cockerill with Springfield Park JFC

Lee Cockerill, the Chairman of Springfield Park Juniors Football Club (SPJFC) has been shortlisted for the Manchester FA Grassroots Volunteer of the year award.

Mr Cockerill was nominated for the award by one of the clubs coaches for his endless work at the club, which includes running the club, picking up players, cutting the grass and taking coaches for their badges.

Speaking about his nomination, Mr Cockerill said: “I don’t know if I can win it to be honest, I really don’t know. If I did win then it would be nice for the club and some nice recognition.”

Springfield Park JFC was set up in June 2014.

Mr Cockerill added: “We started with 11 players and now we have 60.

"Our U11s team has just secured some silverware in our first season as a club. We have an U12s team and an U8s team now as well, so we have gone from strength to strength in a short space of time.”

The club also received 'Charter Standard' in October and Rochdale Council has recently agreed to lease the club the pitch in the middle of the old running track at Springfield Park.

Mr Cockerill will find out if he has been successful in winning the award at a special event on 13 June at Hotel Football in Manchester.

He added: “I am a bit apprehensive about it all at the minute but everyone at the club has told me I deserve it for all of the work that I do, so we will see what happens. It will be a nice day out no matter what happens.”