The President of the Lincolnshire Football Association is has been presented with the Torch Trophy by her HRH Duchess of Gloucester in London
One of the best known figures in local football Norman Saywell has been presented with the prestigious Torch trophy. He was presented with the trophy by HRH the Duchess of Gloucester in a ceremony in London.
The trophy is a replica of one of the two Olympic Torches used at the Olympic Games in 1948; the first is currently being held in a museum. The second was presented to Commander Collins of the AAA.
Commander Collins believed that it was evident that no matter how successful national bodies were he persuaded local authorities to provide facilities, these would be wasted if voluntary workers could not be encouraged at local level. He believed that the torch symbolised these who were volunteers and served their sport with distinction at local level.
He persuaded in 1962, leading sports figures at that time including Sir Stanley Rous and the Rev’d David Sheppard, encouraged by the Duke of Edinburgh to form the trust.
Nominations are made by governing bodies of many sports. The successful nominees are presented with miniature replicas of the torch.
Norman was presented by the Football Association.
At the ceremony sixteen recipients from different sports received trophies. Among those attending the presentation were several figures from the world of sport including Sir Bobby Charlton (The Trust President), the former England Rugby Union and the British Lions player Roger Uttley (The Trust’s Chairman), Mike Dennis (Cricket), Christine Truman Janes (Tennis), Dame Mary Peters and Alan Pascoe (both from athletics).
Norman Saywell has served football in Lincolnshire for over 50 years at club, County and League levels. He has also been a major figure as a referee and in refereeing development, duties which he comes on today for the better development of football in the County of Lincolnshire.
Norman said at the presentation – “I consider it a token of appreciation to the counties number of volunteers who have devoted and dedicated many years to all levels of County Football especially at grass root level.”