LEAGUE AWARDS NIGHT: Barnes' efforts are recognised (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

LEAGUE AWARDS NIGHT: Barnes' efforts are recognised

1:00pm Thursday 21st June 2012 in News

TINA Barnes, secretary of North Star FC, became the latest recipient of the Gordon Blatchford award.

The accolade is presented annually to an individual, or club who the league believe have gone that extra mile to give something back to grass roots football.

Barnes has been club secretary of the Calne-based side since 2002 and while many people find it hard to look after one side, she has done a sterling job as North Star operate A and B teams.

On more than one occasion the club has gone close to folding, but the determination of her and various team managers ensured they kept going.

As secretary, Barnes has seen the A team lift the WG Parr Trophy in 2006 and lose out to Sherston Town in the final of the Knockout Cup in 2003.

North Star B won the Division Four title in 2009 and topped Division Three in 2010, but two seasons later with a change of personnel they finished in the bottom two.

The A team gained promotion to the Premier Division in 2007 but were unable to stay in the top flight.

Away from football, Barnes is an active committee member of the North Star club where she also helps out behind the bar.

She also works in the British Heart Foundation shop in Chippenham three days a week and when she has the time she plays skittles locally.

She received her award from league president Ken Clarke.

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