Over the course of the 2024/25 season we were delighted to reward several individuals for the Jack Petchey award here at Sutton Little League!

Across the Juniors, Inters and Seniors Managers & Assistants are able to nominate individuals to be selected at the winners.

October 2024

Winner: Shayne Townsend

Nomination: I’d like to nominate Shayne Townsend from Hotspurs. He’s my Son but that’s not why he’s getting a nomination. Long story short. His younger brother players for my junior team Eagles. He loves playing football. However Shayne has just started and I’ve thrown him straight in to my other team Hotspurs at Inters level.

He hated the idea of playing football. Theirs a lot to take in with it being 11 a side and rules that are completely alien to him especially with this being his first season. I had a player drop out of the team in the summer so I basically told him he’s playing which he wasn’t best pleased about. I’m super proud with his application and how he’s taken everything on board. He’s definitely not a natural footballer but his effort and camaraderie he’s shown with his team mates has been great to see.

He’s found more confidence even around school and just the simple idea of being in a team has really encouraged him socially. He even told me ‘dad some kids are giving me more respect at school now in the footy team’. He’s been brilliant. And I’m delighted I got him to finally play football and the best part is I think he’s chuffed too.

November 2024

Winner: Max Rochford

Nomination: I'd like to nominate Max from the Dynamos, who happens to be my son.

Dynamos for one reason or another ended up with no goalkeeper this season, which at that age group is not a good place to be.

I was able to convince/force Max to play in goal and share the responsibilities with another player. Due to the other player missing some matches, Max has ended up playing in goal every game, only getting half a game on pitch some weekends.

Max hates playing in goal, it keeps him awake on a Friday because he doesn't want to let the team down but he just gets on with it because in his words 'it isn't about him, it's about the team and he wouldn't want to anyone else to go in goal who doesn't want to'.

The Dynamos are sitting 2nd in the league at the halfway point, he's made some mistakes but he's definitely made more saves and I know his team mates appreciate him taking one for the team.

February 2025

Winner: Estevao Oliveira

Nomination: I would like to nominate Estevao Oliveira of The Romans. He epitomises what Sutton Little League is about - giving every kid a chance to play and enjoy football - regardless of ability. Estevao came into the team as a replacement and has limited organised football experience, but his enthusiasm, willingness to listen and learn and playing with a smile on his face is a joy to watch. From his first match to now, he has improved every game with his teammates supporting him every step of the way.

March 2025

Winner: Georgie Redford

Nomination: We would like to nominate Georgie Radford from Vikings. He turns up to training every week, encourages his team mates to be better and plays with a smile on his face. Kept us in so many games this season and wasn’t even meant to be our goalkeeper. He has shown real leadership qualities this year and would be a worthy winner of the award.

April 2025

Winner: Belle Hodge

Nomination: I would like to nominate Belle hodge. From the Hornets

Belle is probably one of the very few girls that play at Sutton LL. Expecially in the inters division when games can get physical or challenging but yet she still manages to hold her own applying pressure closing down attacking players and always playing with a smile on her face she always works hard in training and gives the boys a run for there money. She may be the only girl in a team full of boys but she doesn’t fail to shine and show that football isn’t just for the boys.

She has a great understanding of the game and continues to grow in confidence she’s yet to get a goal for the team but has come close.

She always gives 100% and the boys in the team could learn a few things or two from her as her positive attitude shines

Through I feel she would be a worthy winner and a great nomination