Nailsea Junior Football Club star Leo Lock has been recognised for his exceptional work and commitment with a hat-trick of awards.

The 15-year-old Nailsea School student received the players' player of the year prize, as well as clubman of the year and a special recognition award for his outstanding achievement of scoring well more than 50 goals during the season 2021-2022.

He supported three teams, playing for two under-15 teams and an under-16 team, as well as playing matches and attending training sessions for his school during the week.

In total Leo scored 55 goals during the season – playing for Nailsea Athletic u16s, Nailsea Athletic u16s and Nailsea United u15s.

Dad Tim said: "He often played three to four games a week giving up his whole weekends in the process for most of the year to help keep the team's numbers up and continue playing.

"His coaches have said it is a fantastic achievement to get well over a half-century of goals in one season and the huge commitment shown to help any team where he can is an outstanding attitude and contribution towards the game.

"They felt it needed to be recognised and rewarded, especially when he has done nothing but constantly thrown himself into football whenever he could, even carrying injuries sometimes for the past year.

"They really appreciate all the hard work and say he is a great ambassador for the teams and leads a great example."

Nailsea Junior Football Club was formed in 1974 and now has close to 400 boys and girls, aged five to 18 years.

With 20 teams, including two girls’ teams, this makes it one of the largest junior football clubs in the southwest.

Sadly, its annual six-a-side has been cancelled this year as the was no suitable sports field available.

Millennium Park didn’t have the space and with building work going on at the Engine Lane rugby club they were out of options.

Other winning youngsters at the May football presentation at the Grove from Nailsea Athletic u15s included:

• manager’s player Dylan Wright

• players player William Reakes

• most improved players Anthony Miles and Zack Holt

• super skills player Harry Symes

Nailsea Junior Football Club is an inclusive club which aims to try to accommodate any young person living in the area who wants to play football with its own dedicated website here https://nailseajuniorfc.co.uk/.

On its website it says: “As a club, we encourage our coaches to enter various tournaments where the teams compete against other football clubs in the southwest, and around June, we hold our own six-a-side tournament which is always fully subscribed, and is great fun event for all.”

The club has more than 40 CRC approved coaches, and at least one level one FA qualified coach per team. 

But what the club doesn’t have is a dedication home pitch and currently trains and plays alternatively at Grove Sports Centre & Social Club, Scotch Horn playing fields (now Millennium Park), Golden Valley playing fields, Station Road and Greenfield Crescent playing fields.