Unsung hero award for respected Teversal stalwart Newton

Kevin Newton, secretary of Teversal, has become the tenth and final winner of the Unsung Football Hero competition run by the Nottingham Building Society.

Newton, 51, of Vere Avenue, Sutton-in-Ashfield, has been heavily involved at Teversal for 30 years, starting as a player. As well as secretary for the whole club, he is currently their FA chartered standard co-ordinator and coach for the U11s Sunday team and the Tevie Tots training sessions.

He was nominated for the award by Russ Bowler, a coach at the club, who said: “Kevin is very passionate and always gives 110% to make sure everything is on time and everyone is happy.

“He is the club secretary but also deals with matchday programmes and the post-match press articles, goes to all sorts of meetings and helps with all the teams from seniors to tots. He always makes sure we have the right amount of players available for the Tevie Tots, including sorting out drills for training.

“There aren’t enough days in the week, never mind hours in the day, as he is always doing something involving the club.”

Newton joined Teversal when senior football returned there in 1986. Four years later, when it looked likely the club would fold, he stepped in to save it, alongside John, Jim and Archie Bowers.

The club soon became a success story, going from just one adult men’s team to 13 youth teams in ten age groups, a ladies’ team and a senior set-up involving first team and reserves.

Newton, who spends an average of four-to-six hours a day on football-related issues, said: “I was shocked to win the award. I never expected anything as I don’t do it for that, but it was really nice of Russ to nominate me.”

He says his proudest achievement has been the club’s growth over the years, producing many players who have gone on to successful careers in professional football, including Mansfield Town’s Jason Law.

“We are a very ambitious club, run by some passionate volunteers,” said Newton. These include his wife, Alison and their children Eleanor, 22, and Craig, 21.