A STALWART of grassroots football has been recognised for long-service to a club.

Clifford 'Cliffy' Alderson received an award for 30 years service to West Auckland Town FC at the Durham County FA Awards 2018, which was held at the Emirates International Cricket Ground in Chester-le-Street last week.

Mr Alderson, 48, joined the committee when he was 18, having been a regular around the ground since the age of nine with his brother Lawrence.

His dad, Clifford senior, got him involved as he was a committee member for more 30 years as well.

Dave Bussey, assistant secretary at West Auckland, said Mr Alderson became unwell in 2014 with Von Hippel-Lindau disease which affects his balance and limbs.

He said: "However, despite several operations, this has not stopped him and now has become the team's match day secretary.

"You could count on one hand how many games Cliffy has missed in the last 30 plus year. Well done and fully deserved Cliffy."