A DEDICATED Stretford resident has been awarded the Unsung Hero Award at Trafford Sports Awards.

The award comes as 71-year-old Joey Jones celebrates 40 years of his football club, Stretford Victoria.

He founded the club in 1877 with his friend Tommy Howard. The pair worked in Kellogg's as forklift truck drivers.

With a massive passion for football, they decided the town needed a young football club. They put an advertisement in the local paper - Stretford and Urmston Journal at the time - and invited people down to Victoria Park to play.

Over 50 people of all ages turned up and there began Stretford Victoria FC.

The group started with just two teams and now after 40 years has12, ranging from under sevens to under 17s.

Joey said: "It's been a really successful team from the very beginning. A highlight for me is winning the County Cup for the first time in 1989 - we also won the league in the same year."

The club has had many successful players such as John Sheridan come through the ranks, starting their football careers. His son and daughter, Zoe and Jamie, have helped coach the teams and his grandson, 20-year-old Connor, was a player for the club.

Over the past few years Joey said it has been more of a challenge: "We have always vetted everyone that comes and volunteers at the club, but now each person has to be minimum FA level one qualified, CRB checked and trained in basic first aid. We are only a voluntary club and this comes at a big cost to us."

Looking to the future, Joey hopes to gain more funding and improve their current cabin with a brick building for a proper base for the team. They are also fundraising for two defibrillators.

Joey and Tommy held a reunion for the club at Trafford Social Club in July where players and volunteers past and present joined to celebrate 40 years. Then in September, Joey visited the Trafford Sports Awards where he was presented Unsung Hero.

He was presented the award by the Mayor of Trafford, Jonathan Coupe, who reminded Joey he also had fond memories of the club as a referee many years ago.

He said: "I was humbled to be around so many great people at the awards. I thank my family, friends and colleagues for putting me up for the award. Also to my team at Stretford Victoria who are a great set of volunteers and give up their time to keep boys and girls enjoying sport. Also to the sponsors over the years who have helped to keep us going."

Joey will now wait to attend the finals for the award in November where he will be up against the whole of the North West.