Here’s a question. Where would you find the dynamic duo of morning TV presenter Charlotte Hawkins and former feisty footballer Dennis Wise? At the Surrey Football Association’s annual awards, that’s where. Jo Gunston headed to the event, hosted by the Good Morning Britain presenter at the Guildford Harbour Hotel in Surrey, on a roaring hot Monday 23 July.
Glancing enviously at the passengers seated across the aisle from me on the train from London to Guildford, I prayed some of them would alight at the next stop. My current position involved the sun magnifying through the window as if in a playground experiment on a leaf. It really wasn’t conducive to keeping minty fresh in my fancy frock in the sweltering heat.
Luckily GMB presenter Charlotte Hawkins got the memo about wearing bright yellow!
Sweat popped on my forehead. I’d actually made an effort to put a little make-up on for the annual sports awards in which I’d be interviewing various football alumni. Wisey, QPR under-23 coach Paul Hall and current player Chelsea Women’s goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl were among the awards presenters I’d be speaking to, but whether any slap would be left on my face by the time I got there would be anyone’s guess.
Surrey FA Awards
There’s no waistcoat-wearing support for the legends who battle away day-to-day to help others make the beautiful game a part of their life and communities. The annual awards night takes the opportunity to celebrate the selfless graft displayed by volunteers, coaches, and players across the region.
I spy a fella standing alone so I pounce. “Hello. Mind if I do an interview with you?” Before the bamboozled fella had a chance to reply I had him miked up with a camera in his face. That’ll be a yes then.
Turns out the fella is Bruce Elliot, Head of Grounds and Estates at Crystal Palace Football Club, so I take the opportunity to ask if the ongoing heatwave is playing havoc with his pitch.
Moving on, I spy a fella and a lady standing at a table so I zoom in. After a couple of false starts – one I forgot to mike him up and the second we thought we could smell smoke – he tells me why he’s at the awards.
Mark is probably regretting setting up the team now as he says he’s constantly on the receiving end of bants from the ladies.
Paul Marshall, meanwhile, wins an award for being involved with Epsom and Ewell Football Club for 40 years. I told him about my dad going to Derby County as a lad and the lovely thing the miner’s would do to help him see the match better. Paul had a similar poignant story from his club’s early days.
Colin Lock, meanwhile, one-ups Paul by being at Hindhead Athletic Football Club for 48 years. Not surprisingly, he wins an award for longevity, so I ask him about his impact at the club.
Getting a kick out of the World Cup
Luckily QPR under-23 coach Paul Hall forgave me for a classic faux pas…
Next I shimmied into a spare seat between Good Morning Britain presenter Charlotte Hawkins, QPR under-23 football coach Paul Hall, former Chelsea and England player Dennis Wise, PFA head of equality and diversity Simone Pound, and Chelsea Women’s goalkeeper, Hedvig Lindahl. I interrupted the group’s earnest conversation about… I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, in which Wisey had taken part. He was pretty happy when I brought it up, I can tell you. (See Exhibit A in the video below 😂).
Slightly nervous at talking football in front of current and former professionals she tells me later, Charlotte nevertheless waxes lyrical about the recent World Cup. The joy of England doing so well in reaching the semi finals, means layman like Charlotte enjoy the camaraderie of the tournament alongside regular fans. This makes for a wonderful feel-good vibe around the country.
Charlotte told me she and her GMB colleagues even donned a waistcoat on the morning show in support of England manager Gareth Southgate, the nicest man in football©. She’s not the only one. 😂
Useful when you can wear your boyfriend’s once-used-for-a-wedding waistcoat in support of England manager Gareth Southgate and his team on #WaistcoatWednesday
Own goal
Surrounded by Chelsea legend Dennis Wise and Hedvig Lindahl, I had Chelsea on the brain. Turning to Paul Hall I make a bit of a faux pas before asking him about the importance of the grassroots game.
Dennis Wise is known for his, er, passionate approach to the game. He loves one particular aspect of the current England team who are not far long out of grassroots football themselves.
Swedish star and Chelsea Women’s Hedvig Lindahl waxes lyrical about the volunteers’ vital part in forming a solid base for international football.
The head of equality and diversity at the Professional Footballer’s Association believes initiatives surrounding racism and LGBT issues are, thankfully, working.
So congrats to all the Surrey Football Association award winners who know that football isn’t coming home; it’s already here.
For more photos from the Surrey FA Awards 2018 head to this Flikr link.
The event was put on by sports events boutique agency Halls and Halls.
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