THE York and Ryedale Mitchell Sports Football League have been awarded the honour of Grassroots League of the Year by the North Riding Football Association.

The junior league, who run tournaments and matches from Under-7s to Under-12s, were handed the award at the Grassroots Football Awards for the previous season.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the league said that it was a “fitting end for the league and the volunteer committee members, past and present,” who have provided “organised and safe football for thousands of children of all abilities in the York and surrounding District for the past 43 years.”

More than 100 nominations were received from across the County in 10 different categories.

Dean Cairns, coach of York RI Ladies FC who play in the North East Regional Women’s Football League, was voted as Grassroots Coach of the Year for Adults.

In February, it was announced that there would be a merger between the York Minor League and the York Mitchell League to become the York and District Youth Football League from the start of the 2020/21 season.

This plan remains in place however, due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, both grassroots junior leagues were unable to complete their league and cup fixture programmes for the 2019/20 season.

A league spokesperson said: “Despite the setback, preparations behind the scenes have been underway organising a new junior grassroots league fixtures to start again next season for the 310 U7 to U16 age groups who have committed to the league for next season, but only when the Government and the FA advise that it is safe to do so.”

For more information about the league, please visit the league’s website www.ydyfl.co.uk