For over 35 years, John Ward has worked tirelessly as chair of Handsworth Junior Sporting Club to bring football to all.

His dedication and commitment to the game has now been recognised as the first local winner of the prestigious Bobby Moore Award, which is chosen by an external judging panel as part of the Grassroots Football Awards 2024 to recognise volunteers who are the heart and soul of their community.

John has dedicated decades to helping young people enjoy football and has been influential in the club’s success and development since day one.

He is sadly stepping down as Chairperson this season due to illness as he looks to spend more time with his family and friends.

Founded in 1986 under the banner of Handsworth Boys, the club started with one boys’ team in the Sheffield & District Junior Sunday League. Fast forward to today, and there’s now 32 teams offering male and female football.

He was also the driver behind setting up girls’ football at the club over 20 years ago to make sure girls got the same opportunities as boys.

His impact can be seen off the pitch as well. He helped turn a dream into reality when in 1998 the club took over the running of the Olivers Mount Sports Ground so that all the club’s teams could play at one location.

A few years later in 2002, he played a key role in the club securing funding to install a new state-of-the-art floodlit third generation (3G) artificial grass pitch and two-storey changing pavilion at the Oliver’s Mount site. 

Vice Chair at Handsworth Junior Sporting Club and Handsworth Football Club, Steve Holmes, nominated John for this award in recognition of the impact he’s had on local football.

Steve said: “The people around this club make it special, led by John. It’s just different class and it’s an honour to be part of it.

“People use the term ‘legend’ a lot in football, and it gets bandied around far too easily, but that’s what John is.

“There will be many kids at this club who probably don’t know who John Ward is, but he’s built the foundation that they’re walking on and playing on every week. That’s what a legend is to me – somebody who does it all for selfless reasons.”

John is proud to have been involved in the game for many decades and even more so to have played a part in so many players first steps into football.

He said: “It’s great to see some of the young players develop and even go on to be pros, most famously Dominic Calvert-Lewin who started out at Handsworth Boys.

“I just love the game and that’s the reason I’ve been involved with it for so long.

“I grew up having a hero and because I played centre half, mine was Sir Bobby Moore so to receive this award in his name is absolutely brilliant.”

If John’s story has inspired you to get into volunteering, find clubs close to you by visiting www.sheffieldfa.com/play/find-football