Watford - Community Club Of Year

Watford has won Wickes Community Club of the Year at the 2008 Football League Awards incorporating FourFourTwo`s Top 50 Football League Players.

Watford Football Club received the award at a gala dinner at The London Hilton, Park Lane on Sunday 2nd March 2008 in front of over 800 attendees from clubs, sponsors and the football industry.

For their winning entry, Watford worked with the community sports and education trust to make a positive difference for all through sport and learning, by aiming to be the best community and education provider in the country. For 2007 their many achievements include; "Best Community Sports Project" and "Best Overall Grassroots Scheme" Sportsmatch Awards 2006/07, Safer Neighbourhoods project, Healthy Schools Initiative, and Positive Futures project.

The judges felt that Watford`s scheme is an outstanding example of a Community Scheme, delivering exceptional results. The Club is working hard to engage with every part of the local community.

Championship club Colchester United and League 2 Wycombe Wanderers were also highly commended by the judges for this category.

The judging panel commented that, "it was heartening to see just how seriously clubs take their community responsibilities, and to see the number of people, full-time and part-time, paid and voluntary, who commit their time and effort to effecting positive, sustainable change and benefit to so many people."

Commenting on the 2008 Football League Awards, The Football League Chairman, Lord Mawhinney, said: "For the third consecutive year, The Football League Awards has been an enormous success.

"Once again, it has given us the opportunity to recognise and reward the outstanding contributions made by fans, clubs and players to the continued growth and development of league football."

The number one spot in the FourFourTwo Top 50 Football League Players went to West Bromwich Albion striker, Kevin Phillips, followed by Andy Gray of Charlton and Michael Kightly of Wolverhampton Wanderers. The full list of The Top 50 Football League Players can be found either in the April issue of FourFourTwo which is on sale now, or on the FourFourTwo website www.fourfourtwo.com.

The Football League Awards show will be aired on Sky Sports 1 on Thursday 6th March at 8pm.

To find out more about The Football League Awards please visit www.footballleagueawards.com.

Wickes are the Official Home Improvement Partner to the Football League Championship providing support for football via a number of initiatives. As well as the Wickes Young Apprentice Trophy, Wickes are pleased to again be sponsoring the Community Club of the Year at this year`s awards.