An emotional Steve Pitman admitted he had tears in his eyes when he won a top football prize earlier this month.

And a prestigious prize it was too because it carried the name of one of England’s greatest ever players.

The Bobby Moore Award is given for excellence in grassroots football and Pitman, who is director of football for the youth section at Cheltenham club Southside Star, said: “It was very emotional, my wife and kids were there, I didn’t expect to be emotional.

“But it was the last award to be presented, it was the grand finale to the evening.

“I remember my daughter looking at me, it choked me up, I was tear-filled when I won it.”

Pitman was accompanied by his wife Penny and son Andrew as well as his daughter Becca at the Gloucestershire FA’s awards evening at an hotel in Bristol.

And Pitman, a retired IT consultant who lives in Cheltenham, certainly deserved his award after two decades of outstanding service with Southside.

Pitman had previously been a Sunday league player and manager before his first role at Southside saw him coach the under-10s’ 3rds, a team his son played for.

These days, in addition to his director of football role. Pitman is also the club’s child welfare officer and he coaches the club’s Cubs, which are made up of well over 100 youngsters in reception up to year 3.

“We’re running 47 youth teams this season, we’ve got 650 kids,” he said, before adding with a laugh, “it’s out of control!

“It’s testament to all the hard work everyone puts in at the club – parents, players, coaches and the committee.”

And while it was Pitman who collected the award he insisted it wasn’t just for him.

“It’s for everyone involved at the club, everyone has a part to play,” he said.

And while that’s true, the work that Pitman continues to do is certainly appreciated by everyone at the club.

Matt Arthur, who is chairman of the club’s youth section, described Pitman as a “legend”, adding: “He truly represents the very best in grassroots football in 2025 and, in my view, every year.”