A hero of grassroots football for almost four decades has been honoured for his efforts once again.

Phil Jones of Marford was presented with an Outstanding Achievement Award in the McDonalds FAW Grass roots annual awards ceremony for his dedication in supporting local football across the Wrexham area.

In was a double celebration for Mr Jones as he was invited as a VIP guest to watch the Wales vs Croatia football international in Cardiff on Sunday following the ceremony.

The Leader:

Phil Jones' award shirt

The awards are for those that have given their life to the game and in doing so have helped others to enjoy it.

Mr Jones has had an active and hands on role in numerous roles in local football in the Wrexham area since the early 80’s and is probably one of the best known faces during almost 40 years covering grass roots games for the press across The League of Wales, the Cymru Alliance, the Welsh National League and the Wrexham and District Youth League.

Mr Jones said: “Due to ill health, I have not kicked a ball since I was a teenager but what happened since then has more than filled that void. I took on the role of secretary at LEX XI in 1983 but what I wasn’t told initially was the fact it included the responsibility for fundraising and producing the match day programme.

“I hosted my first Sporting Dinner in 1988 with Denis Law being guest of honour. Since then I have enjoyed organising in excess of 100 events meeting legends such as Alan Ball, Gordon Best, Jack Charlton, Geoff Hurst, Nobby Stiles and Howard Kendall. More recently Phil Thompson, Ron Atkinson, Matt Le Tissier and Paul Merson. I have never totted up exactly the amount of money raised but I am sure it is in excess of £250,000.

“In 1989, the LEX football programme was voted Best in Wales and before I knew it, I was asked to write articles and match reports for the Wrexham and Evening Leader, Wales on Sunday and the Western Mail and Echo and in parallel was providing a results service for the BBC and Marcher Sound Radio.

“When my two sons Paul and Robbie started playing youth football in the mid 90’s. I joined Marford and Gresford Albion and took on the role of manger and chairman until the boys graduated into the senior side and for 18 years I enjoyed my involvement with Gresford Athletic where I helped with their fundraising and producing their match day programme. A large part of my time at Gresford was serving as their vice-chairman.

“Although my sons had ended their time playing youth soccer, i was invited to be an executive member of the youth league responsible for public relations and then in the mid 90’s I became vice-chairman and nowadays chairman with a hands-on role.

“I handle the interface with the press. I take over 30 calls from youth league managers and take numerous action shots to underpin supporting match reports for use in the local press. This is mirrored in the afternoon where I have the task of performing the same duties in the Welsh National League, taking more action photos co-ordinating a further 50 football calls and producing the associated match reports on behalf of the league.”

Mr Jones is no stranger to receiving recognition. In 2006 he received an MBE at Buckingham Palace for his service to the community. In 2012 he was voted Wales’s Number One Business Leader and in the same year was voted ITV Wales Community Hero and represented Wales at the Pride of Britain Awards.

More recently, in March 2018 he was honoured for Service to Sport by the Wrexham Sports Council.