A MAN dedicated to grassroots sport in the North-East has won recognition on a national stage.

Alan Brown was yesterday crowned FA Learning Grassroots Coach of the Year by England football team manager Sven Goran Eriksson.

The 45-year-old, who coaches under-15s and under-eights for Stockton Town Football Club, beat 500 other children's coaches.

He received his award during half-time at the FA Community Shield match at the Millennium Stadium yesterday.

Mr Brown said: "I am honoured to receive an award, especially as it's for coaching, which is something I love doing.

"There's no better feeling when your team goes out at the start of a game and puts into practice everything you've taught them."

Mr Brown, who became involved in football through his son's interest in the sport, also coaches girls aged nine to 11 as part of a partnership between Stockton Borough Council, Teesside University and Stockton Town FC.

He began his coaching career ten years ago when he got involved with helping his son's football team.

Since then, he has completed his coaching accreditation and gone on to coach three teams and champion the local Kick Start Scheme.

The Middlesbrough supporter's best moment came at the end of last season when he watched his under-15s play in the regional league finals.

Sponsored by McDonald's, the FA Learning Grassroots Coach of the Year award recognises and rewards the best junior coaching work carried out across the country and acknowledges personal achievement at the highest level.

The judging procedures are rigorous and all nine FA regional finalists were interviewed by a panel of judges.

The panel includes Sir Trevor Brooking, McDonald's director of football Sir Geoff Hurst, Manchester United youth coach and McDonald's national football coach Eric Harrison, England women's coach Hope Powell and FA national football development manager Les Howie.

Sir Geoff said: "Alan's a great coach who brings so much to his team.

"They're lucky to have him and we're lucky to have such a shining example as the first ever grassroots coach of the year.'