A SCHOOL football coach who has volunteered his free time for more than 12 years to help train youngsters has been nominated for the York Community Pride Awards.

Iain Cook retired from his voluntary role at Poppleton Road Primary School at the end of term. He has now been put forward for the Sporting Hero award by Helen McDonald from the school.

Helen said Mr Cook runs three training sessions a week in addition to matches and tournaments on weekends.

She said: “His dedication to the children is second to none and the impact he has had on them can be seen through their commitment to him and the sport.

“Present and past pupils speak very highly of Mr Cook and have fond memories of him bringing sweets to matches for them and something extra for the player of the match.

“Mr Cook recently has worked very hard to lift the profile of girls’ football within the school, embracing the opportunity of coaching with York City and entering the girls’ team into a league and last year in 2017 their hard work paid off and they won the league. I have never heard him say no to any football opportunity.”

Mr Cook, from Acomb, said he began coaching junior football when his own children were at primary school.

The 56-year-old, who works as a section leader at Asda at Monks Cross, said he was delighted to be nominated for the awards.

He added: “In this day and age it’s good to see children outdoors running and getting exercise. It’s important that we do encourage children to exercise - they don’t have to be great at sport, just get them out there.

“You see the children grow up and start thinking more about the game. They have always been a good bunch.

“It’s not always possible to win every game. We have been lucky, the first team won the league this year and I wasn’t going to stay on forever like Arsene Wenger.

“It’s rewarding - I wouldn’t have been volunteering for 12 years if it wasn’t. It’s not the be-all and end-all for your team to do well. No matter if we get beat or we win, we always shake hands and do three cheers at the end of the match. It’s important to be able to do that.”

Nominations for the Community Pride Awards are now open and nominees must live in, or contribute to the community within the City of York Council area. Three finalists from each category will be invited to the awards ceremony at York Racecourse in October. Entries can be posted to York Community Pride Awards, The Press, 84-86 Walmgate, York YO1 9YN. Or submit your nomination online at yorkpress.co.uk/communitypride.

The closing date for entries is Friday, July 27.