A North Yorkshire football stalwart has received national recognition from the Football Association.

Ian Richardson of Brompton, Northallerton, was presented with an FA 50 Year Service to Football award by the North Riding County FA Chair, Barry Casterton, at the organisation’s annual meeting.

Ian started his career with Filey Town FC in 1970 and has given continuous voluntary service every year since.

After joining the Police in 1974, he moved to York where he joined LNER Builders FC, and was then posted to Northallerton where he took over the running of the Police football team in the Hambleton Sunday morning league. He later became involved in the running of the league itself which he’s done for 32 years and continues to do so.

More recently Ian has been coach and manager of the Northallerton Town FC Academy team and the highly successful Bedale Town FC teams, before joining Stokesley FC where he continues to contribute to local football.

Presenting the award, Barry Casterton said: “Ian is exactly the sort of person we want to encourage into football, he’s dedicated and takes responsibility. He has done this over 50 years, not just organising an occasional event, it’s been week in week out for him, often whilst simultaneously doing two or three football related jobs. He is a worthy winner of this award.”

During his 50 years Ian has taken on virtually every role associated with running local football, from coaching, to fundraising, grounds maintenance, kit managing, chairman, secretary and treasurer of various clubs, as well as running midweek five-a-side leagues and all the administration it entails. He even had a spell refereeing and assessing up and coming referees. On receiving the award, Ian said: “I got involved in football to help young people play the game, not to win awards, nevertheless it is gratifying to be recognised.

“I’ve made many friends over the years and I’m thankful for the support that I’ve been given by many people.”