YOUNG footballers have won a prestigious accolade.

Runcorn Linnets JFC are among grassroots volunteers and clubs named as this year’s winners of The Cheshire FA Community Awards, presented by McDonald’s.

The club has won the FA charter standard club award.

Since February, people have been nominating their grassroots heroes within the county, from individual volunteers to clubs, and the response has been fantastic.

Following the seven-week nomination period a judging panel, made up of Cheshire FA representatives and previous winners selected this year’s winners for their invaluable commitment to the grassroots game, week in, week out.

Simon Gerrard, Cheshire FA Chief executive officer, said: "The FA community awards supported by McDonald’s are a chance for us to recognise those volunteers, coaches, clubs and leagues that sacrifice so much on a weekly basis and say thank you to them.

“Without them we wouldn’t have safe and structured environments where youngsters can develop their footballing talent.”

McDonald’s has been a community partner with the FA for 12 years, during which time thousands of clubs have benefitted from this partnership.