Long service award for Central Midlands Alliance Football League vice president
A special long service award has been presented to the vice president of the Central Midlands Alliance Football League (CMAFL) to honour him dedicating more than 50 years as a grassroots football volunteer.
John Cornthwaite, 78, had his first taste of football administration in his early 20s while a student at University of Wales. The Sheffield-born defender joined Penarth United on his move to Wales in 1965 and quickly joined the committee.
Since moving back to South Yorkshire in 1969, John has been involved in many clubs and leagues across the Sheffield and Hallamshire region, both as a player and committee member.
Just some of his football CV highlights include four seasons as secretary of Dormer Sports FC in the 1970s, chair of Tickhill Town FC in the 1980s, and 18 years as the treasurer of the Retford and District Sunday League.
Since 2010, John has been heavily involved in the running of the Central Midlands league. He’s held various roles, including chair and treasurer, and was instrumental in bringing about last year’s merger with the Midlands Regional Alliance to form the new CMAFL.
After retiring as treasurer in the summer, John was appointed vice president of the league in recognition of his long service. He still plays an active role in the league, putting his knowledge and experience to good use to help progress the league and its clubs.
Throughout his almost 60-year tenure in grassroots football, John has demonstrated a commitment to promoting and developing the beautiful game, placing great emphasis on the transition from youth football to senior football.
He was nominated for the Football Association’s 50-year Long Service Award by fellow CMAFL vice president, Eddie Pearce, who said: “When it comes to handing out awards and trophies, the recipients, more often than not, are teams, players, managers and coaches. It often goes unnoticed that their success is due in no small measure to the ‘backroom team’, the small but indispensable army of volunteers without whose support our clubs would cease to function.
“Most volunteers are only involved for a relatively short period of time – a few years perhaps. Thankfully, there is a dedicated minority of people like John who remain involved for pretty much all their adult life. These volunteers, so vital to our game, give their time freely simply because of their love of football.”
Eddie presented John, from Tickhill, with the award at Harworth Colliery Welfare Institute FC in November.
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Click here to find out more about the FA 50-Year Service Award.