One of Derry’s best known football coaches has netted a prestigious UEFA award.
Gerry Colhoun was presented with the accolade during Northern Ireland’s Euro 2016 qualifier win against Greece at Windsor Park.
The Executive Committee of European football’s governing body chose Gerry as the silver prize winner in the best leader category in the UEFA Grassroots Week Awards.
Gerry, who promoted the concept of small-sided games for young players in Creggan more than 30 years ago, is the driving force behind the Foyle Games Development Centre where more than 700 boys and girls play football each week.
He also works tirelessly for his club, Trojans YFC.
Irish Football Association chief executive Patrick Nelson presented Gerry with his award (pictured) alongside Kevin Doherty, the Irish FA’s Regional Grassroots Development Officer at Derry City and Strabane District Council.
The UEFA award is given to a coach/organiser who has exhibited exceptional commitment and had a big impact, through numbers of players or social significance, over a long period.
Kevin, who nominated Gerry, said his enthusiasm for the game was “unrivalled.”
He added: “Whether it’s as a schools coach, administrator, reporter or representative, he always has the player as his number one priority.”