“ The outstanding winners,” said South Yorkshire Ability Counts League Chair Mike Stylianou. “
Last Sunday’s www.southyorkshireabilitycountsleague.com adult five-a-side Divisional Tournament gave the League the opportunity to recognise one of its member teams, Derek Dooley Blue.
The team, coached by Claire Cowlishaw and Nathan Pearson were awarded the Annual Darren Warner Fairplay Trophy for the adult five-a-side category.
@SYorksACL asked Chair Mike Stylianou about the history of the award.
“ The Shield was created in memory of Darren Warner, who sadly passed away in 2021, ” Mike told us.
“ Darren was one of the founding members of the current league when it became independent from the FA. The League’s ethos of fair play and sportsmanship was typified by Darren and the teams he was involved with, so the Trophy honours that legacy by rewarding the adult team from both the 5 & 7-a-side sections achieving the highest respect scores as decided by our referees. ”
“ Derek Dooley Blue were the outstanding winners of the 5-a-side section, ” Mike explained. “ They were unanimously chosen by the league’s referees because of their respectful attitude to opponents, referees and each other. They typify our League’s ethos of fair play. ”
Claire, the Dooley Blue coach, was delighted by the award.
“The team were so happy winning the Darren Warner Fairplay award this season,” she told us. “ It feels that they are being recognised for all their hard work and great sportsmanship. They play with a fun attitude, and they are always happy with their performance – even when they don’t win – as long as they have given 100% and play with a smile! ”
South Yorkshire Ability Counts League 