TEN of the 'grassroots heroes' that keep football thriving in Herefordshire were rewarded for their hard work at the Herefordshire FA Grassroots Awards.

HFA Council member Stuart Turpin handed out awards on the evening.

Winner of the Grassroots Rising Star of the Year award was Cameron Fraser, aged 10, for his efforts helping youth footballers.

Bromyard Town stalwart Edgar Whiteley won a Grassroots Volunteer of the Year ‘Special Recognition’ award for his work.

Whiteley, aged 81, has helped the club for many years helping them build their grandstand and changing rooms along with contributing across the club.

Grassroots Volunteer of the Year was Ben Hince of Holme Lacy FC who thanked the rest of the volunteers at the club and across grassroots football.

Michael Seabourne was named Grassroots Coach of the Year for his work with Ledbury Swifts.

The Grassroots Grounds Team of the Year was awarded to Mark Lambert for his work at Broomy Hill with Hinton FC.

Bringing five youth teams back into the league as part of their new youth set-up saw Wellington win the Grassroots Project of the Year prize.

From being locked out of their ground three years ago the continued success on the pitch for Ledbury Town saw them named Grassroots Club of the Year.

Grassroots Match Official of the Year was Malcolm Johns who said the award shows that he had done his job for the clubs.

With 2,300 youngsters playing the Herefordshire Junior League was named the Grassroots League of the Year.

After not receiving a single yellow card for dissent last season across their junior and senior sides Belmont Rangers won the We Only Do Positive Respect Award.

Scott Russell, football development officer and awards night organiser said: “The Grassroots Awards are an opportunity to celebrate all the volunteers who work in grassroots football in Herefordshire.

"The amount of free time they all give up is unbelievable and it is only right that we give them the recognition they fully deserve.

"But it's not just about the winners on the night but for everyone who is actively involved in local football, at the Herefordshire FA we want to thank you all for the incredible jobs you do every season.

"Football is nothing without grassroots football!”