Long-serving Royston Dynamos coach Billy Horner has picked up an award for his services to the beautiful game.

He was given the volunteer's award at the Sheffield and Hallamshire County FA’s annual awards.

Billy founded the club in 1983 and has been involved ever since. His two most famous graduates are Paul Heckingbottom, who's now a coach at Barnsley, after a long career in the football league.

Dave Watson also came through under his watchful eye and starred for the Reds in the Premier League and is now the coach for the England international goalkeepers.

Billy, 67, of East Pinfold, said: "It's nice to get an award but it's not down to me alone.

"This club wouldn't be going if it wasn't for all the other volunteers. I've had some great managers over the years and I've got some good ones at the moment. I know we're in safe hands.

"I did not know anything about it until I got the letter. People at the club put me forward for it.

"I had played myself but got struck with a ball and it detached my retina so I got involved in this side of the game."

A thousand lads have passed through the ranks under Billy, who was also a referee in the 1980s.

He says football is a harder game to make it nowadays.

"Paul Heckingbottom's lad Archie plays with us now and there are always going to be comparisons with his dad but it's unfair because he's just starting and he's got a long way to go.

"Football has changed a lot from the 1980s and a lot of our lads don't get as many trials as they used to."

caption, Referee Howard Webb, left, and Martin Gilmour, S and HCFA board member, give the award to Billy Horner.