York's 'Mr Football' has had his commitment to grassroots soccer recognised by the bigwigs at Lancaster Gate.

Ernie Fairclough was presented with a medal from the Football Association to mark his 50 years involvement in soccer administration at the recent centenary celebrations of the York and District FA.

But Ernie has connections with the York football league scene stretching back some 64 consecutive years, starting when he began playing local football on leaving school.

Since then he has progressed from player, to club secretary, to manager, holding numerous positions with the York and District Leeper Hare League management committee.

As well as serving as registration secretary for nigh on two decades, he combined the roles of both league secretary and referees' appointment secretary for many years.

He has also served 23 years a council member of the York FA and later represented York on the North Riding County FA. He was also treasurer of the York John Smith's Sunday Morning Football League for more than a decade.

After recently celebrating his 78th birthday, Ernie's enthusiasm for local football shows no signs of diminishing.

Ernie, who lives in New Earswick, still serves on the York league's management committee with special responsibility for Leeper Hare League premier division.

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