FA honour league's groundsmen

The Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's top groundsmen have been honoured at the Football Association's Groundsmen of the Year Awards.

Nantwich Town's James Talbot was not only named as the best groundsman in the NPL category but was also among the finalists in the FA's national awards. Talbot won national recognition after he was highly commended by the competition's judges for his work at the Premier Division's Weaver Stadium.

The green-fingered Dabbers official wasn't the only NPL representative to be honoured at the 12th annual awards, held for the first time at the FA's new national football centre at St George's Park near Burton.

Belper Town's Phil Varney took second place in the NPL category for the First Division South club while Ilkeston's Michael Vickers took third spot for the Premier Division's Robins.

Trafford's Graham Foxall and Witton Albion's Peter Robinson were also among the NPL's finalists and were both highly commended by judges for their efforts at their respective Premier Division clubs.

All of the winners were treated to a tour of the facilities at St George's Park and a presentation by Head Groundsman Alan Ferguson before collecting their accolades. Mark Webb from the Southern League's Shortwood United was named as the nation's top Step 3-4 groundsman.