Cumberland FA recently presented the winner of the first winner of the John Twentyman Spirit of Football Award with their prize which included a £50 voucher courtesy of kit partners kitlocker.com, a Respect pack worth over £500 that included a FA Respect barrier, a FA Respect board and various other Respect items including beanie hats, flat discs, coffee cups, umbrellas and bibs. 

Lee Coan, from Whitehaven Miners Social FC, was recognised by the awards panel for his work as both the chair and a coach at various age groups within the club and in particular creating an atmosphere and culture within the club that exemplified the spirit of football which the awards wished to promote. 

However, don’t just take the panels word for it. We asked some of the players who Lee coaches for their thoughts. Here are some of their comments on what they like most about playing for Whitehaven Miners and Lee:

“I like playing for miners and being competitive for my team, I also try to be a good friend and be supportive to my other team-mates” (Lucas) 

“I love playing for miners. I never had any confidence in myself till I joined miners. I have fantastic friends and I am glad to be a part of the team.” (Logan) 

I love playing for miners it's the greatest choice I have ever made. When I joined the miners, I was not that good but with the help of my team I'm a lot better and I’ve also got a real great group of friends.” (Joshua) 

“I have played for Miners since I turned 7 and I can honestly say I have loved every single minute as part of this team, on and off the pitch, and I wouldn't want to play for anyone else!" (Samuel)

“I love playing for Miners because I've improved lots since I joined, and I love going training. I have made lots of new friends and even though we have two teams we play as one" (Jamie) 

“I like playing for miners because they encourage you to do your best.  From recently joining I have made loads of friends and I have got loads better at football.” (Kai) 

“I enjoy playing for the Miners as I have improved a lot and I have learned loads to enable me to play in my favourite position.” (Archie) 

We can’t top that. So, it just leaves us to say well done Lee from all at Cumberland FA.