Groundsmen scoop national honours

The Ryman League's top groundsmen have been honoured at the Football Association's Groundsmen of the Year Awards.

Bognor Regis Town's Brian Quinnell was not only named as the best in the Ryman but also took third place in the FA's national awards for his work at the Premier Division's Nyewood Lane.

The green-fingered Rocks official wasn't the only Ryman representative to be honoured nationally at the 12th annual awards, held for the first time at the FA's new national football centre at St George's Park near Burton. Merstham's Martin Burr took second place in the Ryman category and was also named among a trio of groundsmen who were highly commended by the national competition's judges.

Wingate & Finchley's Robert and Stuart Mitchell took third spot in the Ryman awards at an event which saw 32 finalists from around the country honoured. Hastings United's Simon Rudkins and Maldon & Tiptree's Steve Taylor were also highly commended bu judges in the Ryman competition.

All of the winners were treated to a tour of the facilities at St George's Park and a presentation by Head Groundsman Alan Ferguson before collecting their accolades. Mark Webb from the Southern League's Shortwood United was named as the nation's top Step 3-4 groundsman.