Representatives of the Gloucestershire County Women's Football League were presented an by Football legend Stuart Pearce at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.

The members were also introduced to the Wembley crowd during the Community Shield final between Manchester City and Chelsea alongside England legend Sir Geoff Hurst.

The League attended the 2018 FA & McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards national ceremony to collect their award after being named the winner of the prestigious FA Charter Standard League of the Year award.

Over the last 12 months, the GCWFL has worked tirelessly to create a league which is both progressive and open to trying new ideas and initiatives to help retain and grow the number of adult females in football. From fostering a great relationship with Girls Youth Leagues in Gloucestershire, to ensuring the seamless transition from youth to adult football, the GCWFL is actively investing in the next generation of female footballers.

Regarded by their peers as being particularly approachable, the GCWFL openly encourage new teams and volunteers to get involved, as well as recognising and rewarding the vital work that volunteers carry out within their respective clubs. The league is determined to ensure they help to increase flexibility within football, illustrated via the Sin Bin pilot programme they took on, helping to develop Respect across the league.

At the ceremony on Sunday, representatives from the Gloucestershire County Women’s Football League collected their award from football legend Stuart Pearce ahead of the FA Community Shield, supported by McDonald’s. During half time, the members of the league joined football legend Sir Geoff Hurst on the pitch in front of the sold-out crowd.

McDonald’s ambassador and England legend Hurst, who's part of the national judging panel said: “The Gloucestershire County Women’s Football League could not be more deserving of this accolade. Their commitment and dedication to grassroots football is plain to see and they should be extremely proud of what they’ve achieved.

“This has been an incredible summer of football for England at all levels and it must be remembered that the continued success of the national game is entirely dependent on the hard work of volunteers at local leagues like Gloucestershire County Women’s Football League, at a grassroots level, helping young English footballers continue to grow and prosper. It was a real pleasure to meet them on Sunday and give them my wholehearted congratulations on winning the award in person.”

Local McDonald’s Franchisee, Paul Toner, who is an avid supporter of grassroots football in the Gloucestershire area, added: “The hard work and approachable outlook demonstrated by the Gloucestershire County Women’s Football League has made them a really valuable organisation for the promotion of women’s and girl’s football in Gloucestershire. Alongside McDonald’s support of local teams through our Club Twinning programme, it’s people like those at the GCWFL who make grassroots football happen.”