DEDICATION to his home town's amateur football club has earned Bill Aisbitt one of the league's top off-field accolades.

The 71 year-old was awarded the Albany Northern League's Unsung Hero award after almost 50 years service to Shildon Football Club, this year's second division champions.

Bill has acted as groundsman for more than 30 years, devoting much of his time to the upkeep of the Dean Street pitch. The grass-cutting equipment he uses is symbolic of his tireless work for the club, he restored it himself after finding it abandoned in a farmer's field.

He came to the rescue of the club when the council condemned the dangerous perimeter wall at the ground. An estimate of £40,000 was received to renew the wall but Bill fixed it for nothing.

Bill, a retired welder, of West View Terrace, said: "I was over the moon, it was a complete surprise but a very welcome one.

"I first got involved in the club as a member of the supporters' club in 1951, then joined the board of directors as chairman for a few years, and do anything else they need me for."

Shildon secretary and FA divisional representative Mike Armitage said: "He's been there seven day a week, he even works behind the bar and makes the bacon butties.

"Clubs couldn't survive without people like him."

The award, which was presented at the League's annual dinner on Friday, completes a family double - Bill's wife Edith shared it with fellow Shildon tea lady Joan Clarkson several years ago.

Bill added: "We're Shildon through and through and love the club, our youngest granddaughter Lucy, 14, has even started to help out in the kitchen."

Shildon won two other awards - Charlie Walton was named Player of the Year and John Outhwaite was the division's leading scorer.