Refereed by the Lord Mayor of Derby Councillor Sean Marshall, with BBC television presenter Greeta Pendse and University for Industry Director Angela Sankey running the line, a crowd of over 500 people saw Amethyst receive the top accolade at the Learndirect East Midlands Awards Ceremony.

 

Side-stepping the opposition and powering the decider in a frantic penalty shoot-out Amethyst received the coveted 'Training Centre of the Year Award' for 2009.

 

Jez Stretton - Manager of the Scudamore Road Training Centre in Leicester, is pictured lifting the Trophy aloft.  Using her favoured 4-5-2 formation, Jez commented "We covered every blade of grass on that pitch, giving 110% was the key to securing victory, plus of course having an extra player on the field helped us..."

 

Amethyst now moves on to represent the region at the the National Awards Ceremony in London on October 19th.

 

Gary Clarke, Manager at the Coalville Training Centre, commented "We'll need the A-Team on the field that day.  Fitness will be crucial to secure victory from the tough competition of over 800 Training Centres that started on this long road to Wembley Stadium.  There will be no 'Sick-as-a-parrot' excuses from me - the team will be well prepared."  Fighting words Gary - "Come on you mighty Amethyst" will be the chant, all of the East Midlands is behind you!!!