A community champion from Brent who died last month has been given a posthumous award for his dedication to grassroots football.
Trevor Hutton, founder of AFC Wembley, was recognised by sporting charity Kick It Out (KIO) at an event held on Tuesday to celebrate their 20th anniversary.
The 52-year-old from Wembley, was heralded for his tireless work with young people in the community through his football club.
He also devoted his time to initiatives and schemes to empower youths including participating in mentoring programmes.
He died on April 30 from coronary heart disease aged 52.
In honour of his life KIO has created an annual accolade called the ‘Trevor Hutton Grassroots Award’ for which he was the first recipient.
The award, which will recognise the outstanding contribution of an individual or group working to promote equality and diversity in grassroots football, was collected by My Hutton’s son Tajean.
The 22-year-old told the Times collecting the award was an overwhelming experience.
He said: “To be asked to collect this award on behalf of my dad was an absolute honour. It was so overwhelming.
“I knew the work my dad was doing because of the stress he was going through but since he died it’s really began to unfold how much things he did that no one knew about.
“So many people have been coming up to me and telling me he was so inspirational to them and for top people in the industry and business leaders to recognise my dad for all the work he has done is so touching, there are no words.”
Mr Hutton’s most recent project, which he launched with his son, was the Community Football Federation which aimed to help grassroots football gain greater recognition.
KIO provided them with space and facilities from their office in Farringdon to run their project.
“It was a privilege for my dad to be working with Kick It Out and it was privilege for Kick It Out to work with my dad,” Mr Hutton added.
Known affectionately as ‘Trevor T’, Mr Hutton also worked in the music industry and was a former PE teacher at Capital City Academy in Doyle Gardens, Willesden.
Last year, he was recognised at the first ever Pride of Brent Awards for his outstanding contribution to the community.
He said at the time: “This award isn’t mine it’s for all of us who work together. What ever I have done I haven’t done it on my own as I have a good team of coaches, volunteers, parents and kids.
“This is a community effort and shows what we can do when we get together.”
Paying tribute to Mr Hutton, Roisin Wood, director of KIO, said: “He represents the thousands of men and women, girls and boys throughout not only the UK, but the world, who give up their time and effort to coach, to mentor, to referee and to manage many more of us to play the beautiful game.
“Trevor’s sudden passing last month shocked all of us but I know his dream will live on.”
For more information about KIO visit here.
Related links: Award-winning community champion from Wembley dies at 52Kenton schoolboy and Wembley football coach among Pride of Brent award winnersAFC Wembley celebrate successful season
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