FOOTBALL: Inter Postoffico FC Player-Manager Tom Leonard celebrated his club’s accolade in the Sunday Open-Age category of the 2009/10 Essex County FA Fair Play Awards then revealed details of an extra financial penalty for anyone displaying poor conduct within the Chelmsford Invitation League side - a round of drinks for their team mates!

The Roxwell-based team, known as Durrasic Park FC last season, were named as winners of the annual awards for sportsmanship alongside Saturday open-age club Emeronians FC from the Romford & District League and Southend & District Junior League side Ashingdon YFC Under 11As, who scooped the youth title. The two adult clubs will now benefit from £500 of Umbro kit and equipment vouchers, while Ashingdon receive a VIP day out at Southend United FC.

Leonard, who is currently laid low on the sidelines with a broken ankle, welcomed news of Postoffico’s award and highlighted the team’s sporting attitude, claiming: “Getting booked for shouting at the ref is pointless so getting sent off for ‘losing it’ is essentially letting your mates down. The last lad to get sent off for us bought the entire team a drink afterwards!”

“Our club officials remind the players, when appropriate, that the ref is doing it for fun also. Don’t abuse the ref as we all moan when there isn’t one and the reason why is because of abuse from players. Players should remember that if they were that good and fault free they would be playing in the Premier League - so don’t expect the referee to be perfect either!”

A specially-formed, experienced judging panel assessed nominations using structured criteria to identify possible winners. These included a team’s disciplinary record, their sportsmanship marks where a league operates such a system, the longevity of such marks or records, the level played by the team and any supporting statement provided by the league that put them forward.

Football Association guidelines highlight that everyone connected with The Beautiful Game should show an understanding of, and respect for, the Laws of the Game as well as supporting the belief that it should be played in an entertaining and positive way. Good behaviour both on and off the field in a sporting manner towards all others involved is also seen as paramount, be they players, officials or spectators and irrespective of results.

Mick Elliott, a member of the panel, expressed: “If football is to remain as the number one participation sport in England it’s important we continue to promote sportsmanship and fair play and, through the disciplinary process, we try to eradicate bad behaviour. Fair play is the driving force behind football and all participants should be reminded of this before, during and after every match. I believe we spend too much time focussing on bad behaviour and not enough promoting and rewarding good conduct. These awards try to put this right.”

The second prize is an Umbro kit voucher worth £250 and the third is worth £150, while commemorative plaques will be presented to all winning clubs in due course. Tom added: “Some lads think every game is the World Cup final! This is Sunday league football and we do it for enjoyment and winning fairly is the only way. If you cheat, you’re not as good as you think you are. As you get older you appreciate how lucky you are to still play and the younger players who join learn to appreciate the relaxed and fun side of the game.”

Youth: Winners: Ashingdon YFC Under 11As (Southend & District Junior League). Saturday Open-Age Football: Winners: Emeronians FC (Romford & District League). Second: Runwell Hospital FC Veterans (Greene King Essex Veterans League). Third: Kirby Athletic FC (Kent Blaxill Essex & Suffolk Border League). Sunday Open-Age Football: Winners: Durassic Park FC (known as Inter Postoffico FC for 2010/11) (Chelmsford Invitation League). Second: Abbey Rangers FC (Terry Reed North-West Essex League). Third: Brentwood Town Ladies FC (Eastern Region Women’s League). Highly Commended: C & K Basildon Ladies FC (Eastern Region Women’s League).