Oxhey Jets founder John Elliott has won the Hertfordshire FA’s volunteer of the year award.

Elliott, who founded the club 44 years ago, currently holds the title of general manager but has fulfilled virtually every role at the club and continues to step in wherever required.

The 58-year-old, who lives in South Oxhey, won the award at the Hertfordshire FA’s awards night last Thursday at Sopwell House.

He has served the community of South Oxhey for 40 years, forming, running and managing Oxhey Jets, with thousands benefitting from the support and service Elliott offers via the football club.

The principle Elliott abides to is: ‘If you need me, give me a call and I will see what I can do.’ Reflecting on his award, Elliott said: “It's superb, it feels great. It was a hard season, the pressure was on. To win the St Mary’s Cup and this as well is just fantastic.

“I didn’t know until the night. I was told I was shortlisted and they read out a little bit about me and the other nominated and then they announced the winner. I was quite surprised,” admitted Elliott.

“I know everyone says they don’t expect to win these things but I really didn’t.

“Because I had won a Herts FA thing a few years ago I thought it wouldn’t happen again,” he added.

Elliott, who founded the club as an Under-12s team and has overseen its rise to the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division, was awarded the British Empire Medal in the 2013 Queen’s Birthday Honours list.