On Thursday, 20th March 2025, Watford Football Club’s Community Sports and Education Trust hosted their annual Gala Dinner in Horzions and The View hospitality lounges at Vicarage Road Stadium. The charity was joined by a host of partners, supporters, and VIPs to celebrate another fantastic year of community delivery, as well as announce this year’s Trust Champions, recognising inspirational local people. Attending stars included personnel from Watford FC’s past, present, and future: Tom Cleverley, Moussa Sissoko, Nigel Gibbs, Alec Chamberlain, Ian Bolton, Adrian Mariappa, and Helen Ward.
The evening was dedicated to the Trust’s annual awards ceremony, in which members of the community are named Trust Champions. Winners are nominated and selected by the Trust’s team of passionate staff. Given that the Trust engages well over 15,000 people every year, this was no easy feat! And the winners are …

• Mental Health Champion, sponsored by MK Ginders – Darius *.
• Community Champion (Adult), sponsored by Academia – Prince Antwi *.
• Education Champion (U11), sponsored by Atria Watford – Sophia *.
• Volunteer Champion, sponsored by VWV – Keno *.
• Fundraising Champion, sponsored by Cortland – Lewis Twydle.
• Physical Health Champion, sponsored by MCF Contracts – Martin Freeman.
• Equality Champion, sponsored by University of Hertfordshire – Peter Wilton.
• Overall Trust Champion, sponsored by Skechers – Gill Crowson.
• Community Champion (Youth), sponsored by Noble foods – Hanna *.
• Education Champion (11+), sponsored by Metro Printing – Jeremiah and Jonathan *.
• Football Champion, sponsored by Shredpoint – Ross *.
• Sustainability Champion, sponsored by Noble foods – Michael Martin.

In addition, there was also the introduction of a new award for 2025: the Trustees’ Champion. This award was chosen by the charity’s Board of Trustees and presented to an individual who has demonstrated the values of the Trust and in the eyes of the Trustees, gone over and above to ensure the local community benefit from the values and programmes of the Trust,
as set by the vision of Graham Taylor back in 1992 when Watford FC’s first Football in the Community Officer was appointed. The Chair of Trustees, Simon Macqueen MBE, was present on the night to award Community Director Rob Smith with the Trustees’ Champion award.
The event was hosted by Vibe FM and Watford FC regular Lee Patridge, with guests enjoying welcome drinks, canapes, a three-course meal, live music and a dance floor that was used well into the night. The live music came from UK-based singer/songwriter Grace George, who has enjoyed over 50 million streams on Spotify alone.
The award winners were applauded by an on-looking audience that included staff, supporters, partners and an array of special guests. Trust patrons The Taylor Family, and Baroness Dorothy Thornhill MBE were present, as well as Watford’s MP Matt Turmaine, Elected Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor, Deputy Mayor Councillor Aga Dychton, and Watford Borough Council Chairperson, Councillor Dawn Allen-Williamson.
Over £5,500 was raised for the Trust, which will now go back into the community through its continued work. With ticket and table sales, in addition to award sponsorship covering event costs, this total comes from an online auction and on-the-night raffle.
The Trust would like to put on record, it’s thanks to everyone who attended the night, bid and entered the auction and raffle, plus all of the award sponsors, as well as Watford FC Supporters Trust for sponsoring the award winner’s table, and Coordinate, who sponsored seats for Trust staff.
To find out more about the Trust, you can visit www.watfordfccsetrust.com, search @WFCTrust on social media, or contact them by emailing community@watfordfc.com