HE does so much for Bedale Football Club that he literally deserves a medal.

That was the verdict on retired motor engineer Ian Anderson, of Bedale, who has been rewarded by the North Riding County FA to mark his achievement as Groundsman of the Year.

Bedale FC chairman Martyn Coombs said that, because of Mr Anderson's efforts at the club ground at Bedale Athletic and Sports Association in Leyburn Road, Bedale FC played on one of the finest pitches in the Teesside League.

Mr Anderson works on the pitch with his lifelong friend, retired John Yates, of Aiskew, who was also recognised with an award at a special ceremony in Stokesley.

Mr Coombs said: "Ian and John do everything at the ground to make our pitch what it is. At the end of a long season the pitch hardly looks any different from the start of the season. Ian is at the ground every day and a week never goes by without the pitch being rolled and tenderly loved.

"His honour is so well deserved. He is without doubt an unsung hero and an unpaid one to boot. I do not know where the club would be without him."

Mr Anderson also acts as match secretary every Saturday for the Teesside League, while his 37-year-old son, Stephen, is club captain.

Last season, North Yorkshire FA chose Bedale as the venue for the inter-county cup match against West Allotment Celtic, representing Northumberland.

Mr Coombs said: "For a small club like ours, to be selected for this prestigious honour was wonderful."

Anne McIntosh, MP for the Vale of York, had a chance to see the work done on the pitch by Mr Anderson and Mr Yates when she presented a cheque from the Football Foundation towards the £32,000 spent by Bedale FC on extending changing rooms and creating toilets for the disabled at BASA.

The junior section of the club is working on a bid for funding for a pitch and pavilion to be built on land adjoining the Bedale High School playing fields.