Paul Jubb, Head Coach of Bradford Disability Football Club (BDFC), has been awarded the BBC Sport Unsung Hero award for Yorkshire.
Paul (middle of main picture) was presented the award live on BBC Look North on Monday evening when he was surprised by Harry Gratian as the winner having believed he was one of four nominees to be shown on the show!
Despite the shock Paul was able to provide viewers with a little insight into BDFC and was very keen to thank the team of people who support both him and the club to be the success that it has become.
BDFC was founded in 2002 with an initial grant of £1,000 and 8 players, it has over 135 members aged from 6 to 60 and is growing in its profile and its membership every year.
There are three training sessions each week, two at Trinity College in Bradford and the third at the new session founded last year at UAK in Keighley. The club has 11 pan disability teams, 9 adult teams and junior teams both under 16’s and 13’s, all of the adult teams participate in the ability counts leagues in the West Riding County FA.
Steve Parr, a volunteer and father of one of the players, nominated Paul for the award.
He said: "Paul is one of the most inspirational guys I've ever met. Having a son, Martin, with learning difficulties, I know how difficult it is. Martin spends a lot of time on his own, with very little friends and this has given him a new lease of life."
Paul will now head to the BBC Sports Personality of the Year with the 14 other regional winners who are each up for the BBC Unsung Hero of the Year Award presented on the night! It’s going to be an amazing experience to be at the awards with 7000 sold out seats at the Belfast SSE Arena.
For further information about the club please visit our website www.bradforddfc.co.uk