The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Spalding United youth team coach Lee Black was honoured at the 2022 England Football & McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards national ceremony.
Held at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium, Black was named as the national winner of the prestigious Grassroots Bobby Moore award.
The South Holland-based coach was nominated for the Bobby Moore Award for the huge impact he has had upon the team.
He took over leadership of his nephew’s club at Spalding United after many of their coaches and management staff had to step down.
Not wanting the kids to miss a season he selflessly took over the huge challenge of running the club.
Immediately the parents and siblings of the children at the club noticed a huge positive change in their attitude towards football.
Black’s approach towards the club was not just limited to football. Immediately after taking over the reins, he implemented a wide range of charity initiatives raising more than £1,000.
He was also instrumental in starting a Ukraine appeal by getting the kids to play in blue and yellow as well as collecting clothing and items before each game for Ukrainian refugees.
Black accepted his award from football legend Sir Geoff Hurst ahead of The FA Community Shield, which saw Premier League champions Manchester City beaten 3-1 by FA Cup winners Liverpool.
During the half time break, he joined the other winners on the pitch in front of the King Power crowd.
Sir Geoff, who famously scored a hat-trick for England in the 1966 World Cup final and is also a McDonald’s ambassador, said: “It has been a great year for the grassroots football community.
“That’s why I’m so proud to be here to honour these incredible winners.
“Lee’s story is remarkable, we owe him a great deal of gratitude for selflessly supporting his club so diligently.
“Lee’s charity work truly shows the transformational power of football.”
McDonald’s is the longest-standing supporter of grassroots football in the UK, having worked with all four home nation FAs for the past 20 years.
In addition to championing local grassroots heroes, McDonald’s is committed to giving thousands of children the chance to play football for free with its Fun Football programme, which provides introductory coaching sessions for kids aged 5-11.
