Sandbach United FC has been officially awarded the FA's Grassroots Club of the Year at a ceremony that featured Gareth Southgate and Lioness legend Casey Stoney.

The award recognises the club's commitment to supporting people from the very youngest players all the way through to the veteran teams.

Sandbach United boasts 48 teams catering to 700 players across all levels and ages, 100 of whom are playing for the club's thriving women's teams.

Oliver Byron, the club's head of football, told Sandbach Nub News: "We're immensely proud of this award and what the whole committee has achieved. I've said from day one that this award is for everyone at the club. Every player; every manager; every parent who has stood at the side-line on a wet Saturday morning watching their son or daughter play."

The club was first named as winners of the prestigious award last summer, but the pandemic eventually quashed any plans to hold the usual award ceremony at Wembley Stadium, so a virtual event was held on Tuesday (16 March) in its place.

The club encourages its players to be at their best both on and off the field with benefits streaming into their school and social lives.

"As a club, we're not all about winning; we are about participating; we're about the enjoyment. It's about the boys and girls coming off that pitch with a smile on their face," Oliver said.

Casey Stoney, the manager of the Manchester United women's team, visited the Sandbach when they were first named as winners in August and later virtually met up staff and players in time for the ceremony.

She praised the club, saying they were "very, very worthy" of the award.

The club's drive to increase accessibility and inclusion was also highlighted during the ceremony.

Oliver explained: "We've recently created a new committee position, a diversity and inclusion officer. Liz Clark who has been on board with the club for a long time has taken that on board and it is definitely something we intend to expand on.

"We have a team called cerebral palsy united that have free use of our facility every week. We're also working closely with the Cheshire Disability Social League who use the facility once a month for a coach load of players."

The head of football also paid tribute to the legion of volunteers at the club, saying they would be "nowhere without them".

Oliver said: "They are the lifeblood of the club. The amount of time that goes into it, it's not just turning up on a Saturday morning and shouting from the sidelines. There is so much planning and administration that goes into it. It's a big commitment."

Nominations are now open for this year's Grassroots Football Awards. For more details, click here.