Submitted on
Thursday 19 January 2012
by
Elaine Browne
On Monday 2nd January Level Playing Field presented two of last season’s Fans Award winners. Kev Monks, Coventry City Fan, who was the winner of the Joseph Wratten Award and Julie Pidgeon, winner of the Club Employee Award were presented with their awards pitch side at Upton Park prior to the League fixture between West Ham and Coventry City.
Kev’s Award was presented to him by James Wratten, Joseph’s brother. James was supported by June and John, Joseph’s parents and some close family friends. As this was the first year of naming the Fans Award after Joseph it seemed very fitting that the Award was present by James.
June told us, "It was great to meet & chat with Kev. Listening to him describing his involvement with Coventry made me even more sure that we had chosen the right supporter. I think Kev & Joseph would have got on extremely well. Not necessarily about which club they supported, but the passion for the game. Just listening to all his memories of different games he has been to reminded me so much of Joseph .It was the only time that I thought it would have been nice for West Ham to draw; I think Kev would have had a better day if they had! I think we have made a new friend."
Kev said, "To be awarded an award in memory of a fellow football supporter is a great honour for me. Thanks to the Wratten family, Level Playing Field and West Ham United for their part in making the presentation of the award very special and a time I will always treasure."
Jackie Newing, Development Officer for Level Playing Field presented Julie Pidgeon with the Employee Award. Jackie said “I was delighted to be presenting Julie with her Award which shows that her hard work and dedication to her job have not gone unnoticed. It was also testament to the job that Julie does that David Gold came down to congratulate Julie and watch the presentation”.
The Volunteer of the Year Award will be presented to Albert Boseley on 21st January at Notts County’s match against MK Dons. Presenting the Award on behalf of Level Playing Field will be June Wratten along with some of the Level Playing Field trustees.