A Lyme Regis volunteer  has won the coveted award.

The Dorset County Football Association has announced Mark Bailey of Lyme Regis FC as its groundsperson of the year.

The award is open for all clubs operating at the seventh tier of football and below, and was set up to recognise the contribution of the unsung heroes of grassroots football and encourage the development of groundsmanship.

The majority of football in this country is played outside the Football League and quality pitches at non-league are essential for the development of football at every level.

Grassroots groundsmen and women, the vast majority of whom are volunteers, play a huge role in ensuring pitches are in their best possible condition, week in, week out.

The awards recognise those who work in all weathers, all year round, to make sure that thousands of matches can take place on a high standard of playing surface.

Lyme Regis FC, who are known as the Seasiders, were formed in 1885 and moved to the Davy Fort in 1974, with the first team playing in the Devon & Exeter Premier League at Step 7 of the football pyramid.

The club nominated Mark for the countless hours that he spends tending to the pitch and for all his hard work and dedication to improving the quality of the playing surface.

Mark was presented with his award by Kath Purnell, Dorset FA facilities & investment lead and Simon Moore, area sales manager from Fleet Line Markers, who sponsored the award

Kath said: "It was a pleasure to meet up with Lyme Regis FC groundsman Mark Bailey and present him with the 2024 Groundsperson of the Year Award.

"Mark has done an amazing job improving the pitch at Davey Fort by putting in place a maintenance programme that has delivered a pitch of a high standard and he should be commended for all his hard work.

"On behalf of the Dorset County Football Association I would like to thank all the grounds people around the county that do such an amazing job to keep their pitches in tip top condition, sometimes under the worst conditions possible."

Paul Scard of Portland United Youth FC was the runner up with Mark Young of Handley Sports FC, in Sixpenny Handley came third.