DUP MLA Deborah Erskine gave a special mention to Fivemiletown United Football Club in Stormont this week after the club were awarded Amateur Club of the Year award at the 2024 McDonald's Irish FA Grassroots Football Awards.

Club members Marcus Johnston, Dylan Noble, David McQuigg, Mike Long and Scott Long were on hand to pick up the award at the end of October.

“I want to give some good news from my constituency. I put on record a massive ‘congratulations’ to Fivemiletown United Football Club, which secured a win at the Irish Football Association Grassroots Football Awards held recently at Belfast City Hall,” Mrs Erskine said.

“Fivemiletown United was deservedly crowned amateur club of the year. I am delighted for the club. Also nominated at the awards, in the volunteer of the year category, were Mike Long and Scott Long for their superb social media creations, which highlight the very best of the club.”

She added: “Fivemiletown Football Club has been going from strength to strength in the mid-Ulster community since 1898. It is not only a facility and club that boosts the health and well-being of people living in the area; the club has created a sense of community and belonging, as attested to by its slogan, ‘Town, team, together’.

"Awards like this do not just fall into people's laps. They are a testament to the hard work and dedication of a small group of people. I put on record a massive "well done" to the management, coaches, players and supporters. Special congratulations go to club stalwarts, such as Davy McQuigg and head coach, Chris McDowell.

"Nobody understands the amount of time and energy that men such as them put into the life of the club, but it does not go unnoticed by me.

"The club fights tooth and nail to better itself each season. The club cares about the community that it represents, and I am delighted to see its development.”