Shropshire Junior gongs for Llanymynech

The side carried off their age group and the overall league accolades at the SJL presentation day at the Greenhous Meadow in Shrewsbury.

Respect reports are submitted after every game in the league and each team marks the other in terms of respect-fairplay regarding the behaviour of their players, managers, coaches and supporters.

James said: "We are very pleased and the Under-14s have stood out as an example to all of us about how to do things the right way.

"The managers, Steve Ankers and Clive Hayward, must take a lot of the credit because they are doing all that the club wants them to do and more.

"To win that award for the whole league is a massive achievement, but it's down to the players, the managers and coaches and the parents, because they all get marked on their behaviour."

Delighted Meresiders chairman Tim Owen was also keen to spread the plaudits around after his outfit won the league's Club of the Season award.

The Shrewsbury-based club have expanded dramatically over the years and now run nine junior sides. Three of those teams – the Under-8s Majestics, Marvels and Miracles – were added in the last 12 months.

It is all a far cry from the club's humble origins in which they began with just one Under-9s team.

Asked what the expansion has been down to Owen said: "We have good family values within the club and all children regardless of ability get playing time.

"We also have a well run 'crèche' – a young football club we run on Saturdays for children from four years old – and have nine very good managers."

The club have also established a partnership with Mereside Primary School and continue to coach their young players.

There were several other big winners, including Shawbury Hawks Under-8s, Baschurch Juniors Under-9s and Whitchurch Alport Juniors Under-10s who all won Fustal Respect awards.

All three teams, including managers and fans, showed exemplary behaviour during the league's annual Futsal tournament which is now in its seventh year.

Gobowen Youth's Dawn Cooper won Secretary of the Year for her tireless dedication to the club.

League chairman Mike Hames said: "Dawn attends every league meeting, administration of the club is first-class, she is always prompt in dealing with matters of football business.

"The club supports the league in promoting the development and coach education of young players."

The Referee of the Season award went to Robert Davies, from Shrewsbury, for his fine displays officiating the younger age groups.

Simon Walker, also from Shrewsbury, was awarded the Senior Referee of the Year accolade for overseeing the older age groups.

The evening also saw the league present cheques to several organisations, including £250 to Shropshire Schools & Colleges FA to support the annual county Under-10s boys' finals.

A total of £500 each was donated to Cardiac Risk in The Young, the Harry Johnson Trust, Perry Riding for the Disabled Group, the Georgia Williams Trust and Red Cross Young Carers.

Funds were raised through the leagues charity cup competition for ages Under-10, 11, 13, and 14.

Teams pay an entry fee and collect donations at their cup matches while clubs also make separate donations.

An audience of 1,200 attended the event with more than 50 awards presented over four sessions. Hames said: "It was an excellent day which was well supported."