League Stalwart recognised by National FA
Former, Wiltshire County FA, President, Richard Gardiner was at the County FA Headquarters at Green Lane, Devizes last month to present former Shoestrings-chargrill sponsored Chippenham & District Sunday Football League Treasurer, Doreen Rugg with a Football Association 50 Years’ Service award for her outstanding contribution to grassroots football that started back in 1971.
In current times where it is incredibly hard to get volunteers to hang around for any serious length of time, it is hard to think that if an individual were to join a league committee today, they would still be involved in 50 years’ time. Way back in 1971, Miss Doreen Rugg began her love affair with the Chippenham Sunday League.
Having helped set up Trowbridge based factory side Watney Wanderers in 1970, ready to join the Sunday League the following year, Doreen, where as well as being the Club secretary she also joined the League’s management committee. Sadly, Watney Wanderers may have called it a day in in 1996 after some 25 years, however by that stage Doreen was well established in realms of Chippenham League folklore.
From 1976 to 1980 Doreen occupied the role of the League’s Social Secretary, which is now a thing of the past, but at the time saw her organise presentation evenings, raffles and all those things that were the norm back then, but very rarely exist these days. In 1984 Doreen took over the position of League Treasurer, a post she held until 2017, it would be fair to say that as keeper of the League’s finances, she did an excellent job.
From way back in 1971 to the present day, Doreen has been an active member of the League Committee and in 2002, she was rewarded with the Gordon Blatchford award for Service to the League, this year saw her receive a special award from the League to mark her 50 years’ service.
As well as a Life Member of the League, Doreen is also an Honorary Member of the Wiltshire County FA, however this latest accolade from the National FA, trumps all those before as it is just reward for the time and effort she has given to the League for over half a century.
Doreen Rugg was also presented with a Special Achievement Award, to mark her 50 years’ service to the Chippenham Sunday League by League President, Andy Hillier.
Mr Hillier added; “Doreen has been an integral part of the high standards set by the CDSFL. 50 years of service is a tremendous achievement, personally and also helped set stability for the League grow”. He added “I understand Doreen has no intentions to retire and I am sure her wealth of football knowledge and administration expertise will help the League moving forward and this was a well deserved award for Doreen”.