THE Worcestershire FA held their annual long service awards presentation evening in the Graeme Hick Pavilion at Worcestershire County Cricket Club.

The association’s chairman, Roy Northall, formally welcomed everyone and introduced chief guest Roger Vaughan — FA national referee manager (recruitment and retention).

The highlight of the evening saw the association’s president Percy Rushton honoured for completing 50 years service. He joined the council in 1959 as junior club representative for the Worcester area.

On becoming honorary secretary of the Worcester and District Football League in 1961, he served as the league’s representative on council until 1970 when he was elected a vice-president of the Worcestershire FA.

He was elected honorary secretary of the Worcestershire FA during the 1971-72 season and gave 20 years dedicated service in that office, being elected a life member in 1992.

Rushton served as the association’s representative on the Football Association council from 1974 to 1990.

In 1990, he was elected a vice-president of the Football Association and elected a life vice-president in 1999.

A true voluntary servant of football, Rushton has previously received the Football Association medal for 50 years service to association football.

Typically, Rushton had requested that, rather than receive an award, his 50 years service be recognised by the Worcestershire FA making a suitable donation to the County Air Ambulance Trust.

Two other members — Les James (Midland Combination representative) and Charlie Poole (Bromsgrove Rovers FC representative) — received awards for completing 21 years service on the Worcestershire FA council.

Ted Gerard-Thesingh also received a 21 years service award in recognition of his hard work as an officer of the Worcester and District Football League.

The following persons received awards for services to refereeing in Worcestershire (active refereeing unless stated), 21 years service: David Felton; 15 years service: Gordon Brown, David Donnison, Gary Dwyer, Ian Scarr and Peter Stowe; 10 years service: Peter Daffin, Melvin Dulak, Stephen Glover, Scott Knight, John Law, Malcolm Murray and Denys Shaw (assessor).

n A special award was presented to Stefan Rapacz, who has acted as official photographer at the awards ceremony since they were first held in 1993.