Sean Wright is deserved recipient of FA Grassroots Award.
Building on the success of 2023, when the South Yorkshire Ability Counts League was named the Sheffield FA’s Grassroots Football League of the Year for 2023, and our wonderful Chair Mike Stylianou voted creator of the Positive Environment Award in that same year for his work with the South Yorks ACL and the Blades Superdraw League, our referee’s secretary Sean Wright was elected the FA’s Match Official of the Year for 2025.
www.southyorkshireabilitycountsleague.com caught up with Sean before our first Matchday of the 2025/6 season and asked him about the award. Twelve grassroots volunteers were recognised at Wembley on the 10th August, ahead of the Community Shield final, and although Sean – a referee for 22 years – was on holiday on the day of the presentation, his family collected the award on his behalf.
Not to be outdone, we caught up with Sean ahead of our first matchday at Concord and asked him how he first heard about the award.
“ I was contacted by Ben Grady from the Football Association, ” Sean told us. “ He said that they had reviewed all the applicants nominated and that I had won the award. ”
We asked Sean if his award had pride of place in his house?
“ My award is still at my brother’s in London, ” he admitted. “ I’ve not been able to put it on display yet! ”
Keep up the good work Sean, and thanks for everything from everyone at the www.southyorkshireabilitycountsleague.com
Watch the video below.
South Yorkshire Ability Counts League 