FOOTBALL: Ilminster Town’s Darren Paul receives well-deserved Somerset FA accolade

A MAN who has played a key part in seeing Ilminster Town FC’s hopes of having a new clubhouse and ground turn from a dream into a reality has been given a top award by the Somerset Football Association.

Darren Paul has received the Somerset FA’s Outstanding Contribution to Community Football award having worked tirelessly over the last 18 months – and probably longer than that – to achieve the successful building of the Archie Gooch Pavilion at Britten’s Field in Ilminster which has seen the club move from its previous HQ at the Recreation Ground.

“It was a great honour to be recognised for the volunteering work I do within grass roots football and especially for my contribution towards our new pavilion project,” said Darren.

“I am proud to be part of Ilminster Town Football Club; all the hard work the club committee has undertaken is finally going to be realised when we officially open the Archie Gooch Pavilion in the coming weeks.

“I would personally like to thank everyone who has assisted myself and Ilminster Town FC in enabling us to finally have a facility we can be proud of.”

PHOTO – TOP: Darren Paul (centre) with Chad Ehlerston (left), the FA’s senior regional manager for the South West, and Somerset FA president Francis Hillier.

PHOTO – RIGHT: The new Archie Gooch Pavilion at Britten’s Field in Ilminster – photo taken early last month. Courtesy of Ilminster Town FC.

A spokesman for the Somerset FA said: “Darren has given his time, energy and heart to help provide a wonderful facility for the football club and the local community.

“It has not been without obstacles, but through organisation, planning, meetings, phone calls and sheer determination he with the support of other club members have turned a dream into reality.

“He has forged strong links with key partners and has been instrumental in accessing funds and grants  to support  the project, whether that has be through large funding organisations or arranging firework displays or racing nights to help raise any extra funds.”

The spokesman added: “He is an inspirational individual, that always puts the club, players and the town first and, on top of all of this, he even has time to coach the football club’s Under-11 team!”

A family fun day will be held at the new Archie Gooch Pavilion in Britten’s Field, Ilminster, to celebrate its opening this coming Saturday (July 9, 2016).

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