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27 February 2007

Neil Lennon and Colin Murray Praise IFA’s First Ever Football For All Awards Night

Ex International Star and Glasgow Celtic Captain Neil Lennon has praised the Irish Football Association for having it’s first ever Football For All (FFA) Awards Night, sponsored by Vi Sport, to reward Volunteers who have made a special contribution to football at the Wellington Park Hotel on Saturday night hosted by Northern Ireland’s very own Radio One DJ, Channel Five TV Football Presenter Star and Football For All Ambassador 2007, Colin Murray.

Lennon was quick to heap praise on the Northern Ireland Fans, and in particular Football For All Outstanding Achievement Award Winner Stewart MacAfee, for the work they have carried out to create a more inclusive atmosphere at international games:

“People like Stewart are the Unsung Heroes who have been brave enough to challenge sectarianism and who have actively created a more fun, safe and family orientated atmosphere at international games. Fans like Stewart have made the atmosphere at Northern Ireland football games in recent years the envy of Fans across not only Europe but World Football. From a personal point of view I would like to thank them for their efforts.”

Lennon also had a message of support for the Football For All Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, Dessy “Bunker” Magennis:

“Dessy is a man I am happy to call my friend. He coached boys like me, Gerard McMahon, Pat McGibbon and Gerry Taggart in Lurgan and has dedicated his life to the development of Boys Football. He thoroughly deserves to win the IFA’s first ever Football For All Lifetime Achievement Award. I hope he is as proud of me as I am of him!”

Colin Murray added how delighted he was to be asked to host the event:

“As a Fan I believe in Football For All and it was an honour to Volunteer my services as Football For All Ambassador for 2007 and Host for the Awards. I had a blast hosting such a well organised event and it was a privilege to play a part shining the spotlight on the Unsung Heroes who contribute so much to local football, volunteering their time to promote the local game, creating a more dynamic, vibrant and inclusive culture in the sport of football in Northern Ireland. For example its people like Andy Conn, Alex Davidson, Martin Harris and Brian Campbell who are proactive Supporters of Northern Ireland Football both domestically and internationally who make such a valuable contribution to the game but rarely get the praise they deserve. These guys work tirelessly behind the scenes to improve the local game and are an inspiration to all they meet. Each Award Winner thoroughly deserved their Award and I am already looking forward to hosting next year’s Football For All Awards!”

The Award Winners were:

·       FFA Lifetime Achievement Award – Desmond Magennis

·       FFA Development Outstanding Achievement Award – Alan Crooks

·       FFA   Development Unsung Hero – Jim Weatherall

·       Women’s FFA Outstanding Achievement Award – Cheryl Lamont

·       Women’s FFA Unsung Hero - Chris Unwin

·       Community Relations FFA Outstanding Achievement Award – Sean Paul Murray

·       Community Relations FFA Unsung Hero - Andrew Conn

·       Boys FA FFA Outstanding Achievement Award – Matthew Geddis

·       Boys FA FFA Unsung Hero - George Hendry

·       Amalgamation of Official NI Supporters Clubs FFA Outstanding Achievement Award – Stewart McAfee

·       Amalgamation of Official NI Supporters Clubs FFA Unsung Hero - Alex Davison

·       Irish League Forums Supporters GroupFFA Outstanding Achievement Award– Brian Campbell

·       Irish League Forums Supporters GroupFFA Unsung Hero -Martin Harris

For further information contact Michael Boyd on 07894614328

The IFA’s Football For All Programme started in 2000 and its main aim is to make the sport of football in Northern Ireland more inclusive.

The IFA’s Football For All Programme is supported by the Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters Clubs, the Irish League Forums Supporters Group, the Northern Ireland Community Relations Council, UEFA and the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation.