KEWFORD Eagles Football Club in Wall Heath rounded off 2012 by picking up The Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award for Voluntary Service.

The award, a recognition by the Queen of the organisation’s involvement in volunteering in the UK, is the highest award given to UK volunteer groups for outstanding work in their local community and is the equivalent of an MBE.

A domed glass crystal award and certificate signed by The Queen were presented to club officials by the Mayor of Dudley - Councillor Melvyn Mottram - at a meeting of the full council on November 26 at Dudley Council House.

Councillor Lynn Boleyn, vice chaiman of the club, said the club was extremely proud to have received the prestigious award during the Queen’s Jubilee Year.

She added: “Without all the dedicated volunteers the club would not exist. The managers and coaches in particular give up many hours every week to help manage and coach the teams and provide good healthy exercise for the children where they also make friends to last a lifetime.”

Keith Marks, club chairman who received the award on behalf of the club along with club president Ian Pound, said: “Kewford is a community club providing football for all regardless of age or ability.

“We are very proud of all the volunteers in our club and very proud of our growing disability section. They all thoroughly deserve this award.”

Club president Ian Pound said “The club has recently also been successful in raising funds to develop 30 acres of land in Wall Heath into 11 full size football pitches with changing rooms and toilets on land it is leasing next to Dudley Kingswinford Rugby Club in Wall Heath.

“£50,000 was recently awarded to the club by Sport England and £800,000 by the Football Foundation towards the project which will provide a safe environment for children to play football.”

Kewford Eagles boasts around 500 players - including boys, girls, those with disabilities - and senior players.