A LONG-SERVING member of Carterton Football Club has been presented with a top sports award for being the team's "unsung hero".

Glynn Yates was presented with the trophy by West Oxfordshire District Councillor Maxine Crossland, in recognition of the hard work he put into the club for nearly four decades.

He joined Carterton Football Club as the manager in the 1970s.

Maxine Crossland, who nominated Mr Yates for the sports award, said: "Glynn Yates is everything Carterton FC stands for: football for all."

Club chairman Tom Amer said Mr Yates was a very private person, and was never one to blow his own trumpet.

Mr Amer, who has been chairman of Carterton FC for three years, said: "The award was so well deserved.

"I remember stepping in three years ago when the committee at the time were about to vote to drop the first team of under-18s and hand the facility back to the council due to spiralling costs and a fall in revenue.

"Glynn was broken-hearted, he was just one of two people who voted against the committee.

"He physically built the club with his sons, he is a builder and he actually placed the bricks and mortar.

"So I met him the next day and we agreed to see if we could save it. So the last three years have been dedicated to that. It's been hard work and very humbling."

Friend of the Football Club Jenny Maxwell said: "Glynn really came into his own when Carterton Football Club was given a piece of waste ground on the north side of Carterton.

"Under his management and building skills, a building and pitch was born that was once compared favourably with the facilities to be found at Oxford United's ground.

"Glynn, with chairman Tom Amer and his team, is still working hard to maintain and modernize the facilities at the Kilkenny Lane Ground for the use of the community.

"His quiet determination and loyalty have helped turn round the clubs fortunes this year with rising successes both on and off the field."

A total of 45 individuals and organisations were honoured for their achievements from county to international level at the West Oxfordshire Sports Wards event held at Witney Lakes Resort.

James Mills, cabinet member for leisure at WODC, said: "It was wonderful to meet so many talented and inspirational individuals.

“Every one of them richly deserves their award."

Winners received grants ranging from £100 to £1,250 as well as free access to council-owned leisure facilities in the district.

Other winners included coach of the year Jeremy Bristoe, head coach of Witney Wolves rugby club and club of the year Tower Hill FC.