Mick Gainsford - Photo courtesy of Ben Davidson Photography (www.bendavidsonphotography.com)

Grounds Team of the Year: Mick Gainsford

Photo courtesy of Ben Davidson Photography: www.bendavidsonphotography.com
The FA and McDonald's Grassroots Football Awards 

We are delighted to announce Mick Gainsford from Crawley Wasps Ladies has won our Grounds Team of the Year Award as part of The FA and McDonald's Grassroots Football Awards.

The awards aim to recognise and reward volunteers, match officials, clubs and leagues across the county who have made a difference to grassroots football in their local community.

Crawley Wasps currently have over 150 girls and ladies involved at the club that play football on a weekly basis, and this is only possible due to the outstanding and tireless work that Mick dedicates to the club’s pitches at Ewhurst Playing Fields.

Ewhurst, on paper, is a Council owned playing field but with the commitment and effort that Mick puts into the pitches he transforms them, and for many of those involved, makes it feel more like playing at Wembley! Whether it's for the under-9s or the seniors, Mick makes playing football at the club possible and a little bit more memorable.

The pitches at Ewhurst are currently the clubs home facility for five youth teams and two senior teams. Despite having the pressure of over 150 girls and ladies on his shoulders, Mick never fails to ensure that the pitches are in perfect condition. His hard work enables so many girls and ladies to play the game that they love each week.

Thanks to Mick’s fantastic work, the club's senior teams have only had two fixtures postponed in the last three seasons. It doesn’t matter if the hot sun is shining or if its pouring it down with rain, you can guarantee that Mick will be there cutting the grass or marking out the pitches during his spare time.

Mick is a one-man team when it comes to the pitch maintenance side of the club, which makes the work that he does even more imperative. Mick never asks for anything in return (apart from maybe an occasional cup of tea) and the club simply wouldn't be able to function or run without him and his dedication to the pitches.

Nominator, Holly Walker, said: “Every grassroots football club needs a ‘Mick’, and we are just extremely lucky that we have the original one!”

To find out more about The FA and McDonald's Grassroots Football Awards please contact:

Awards
E: Awards@SussexFA.com

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