For our second column in the Basingstoke Gazette we are hoping to reach out and encourage as many readers to nominate those that truly deserve to receive an FA Community Award, the very people that make the games you go to watch on a weekend, happen.

The FA last week announced The FA Community Awards were open for nominations.

The awards aim to reward, recognise the successes and achievements of grassroots volunteers who are making huge differences to the community they serve.

Those who make games happen up and down the country from the groundsman who ensures pitches are playable, the coach who dedicates hours of time to creating session plans, delivering sessions, mentoring the new generation of footballers.

Maybe it is the secretary who also has the role of first aider, chairman, welfare officer, an all-rounder with numerous responsibilities but still manages to keep afloat and does it all in their stride.

Whoever these individuals are, wherever they are, the one thing we do recognise is that these people more than qualify for a nomination.

Their work, commitment, passion speaks volumes and now this is your time, to return to dedication with a few minutes to nominate them for the hours they put in on a daily basis.

They may not be the type of people to go out looking for rewards and do it all for the love of the game – the very nature of that of a volunteer.

We recognise that these volunteers, perhaps without even taking the time to stop and look at what they do, that they all have contributed far more than simply making the game happen.

They bring people together, they bring communities together, friendships are made, people are united through a shared interest, opportunities for personal growth and development are provided as players transition from youth to adult football.

So please spare a few minutes of your time to appreciate these gems that are the lifeblood in our football community in our county by going to thefa.com/get-involved/community/fa-community-awards.