STEWART McShane has been nominated for a Proud of Barnsley Award after single-handedly starting up Silkstone Football Coaching School to help children build up their skills and confidence through football.

After being asked to referee a boys v girls football match at Silkstone School, Stewart was then asked to start a coaching session for kids.

Silkstone Football Coaching School has been going ever since and is now in its 23rd season.

The school, which is a community project, costs 50p admission per person per session and the money goes towards the upkeep of equipment as well as prizes and rewards for the team during different times of the year, as well as a trophy day at the end of the season.

Anyone who is aged between five and 11 years old, whether you just want to build up your basic skills or have never touched a football before, can come along to enjoy the school.

The aim is to provide a relaxed and comfortable environment where footballers of all skills can confidently develop their ball skills while making friends and learning about team-work until they are ready to play for a league side or a team.

Originally Stewart started the club himself but he now has help from parents and volunteers to get the pitch set up and make the sessions as enjoyable as they can for the children attending.

In the past Stewart has played football professionally and some of the people who attended his football school have gone on to do the same themselves.

Stewart, 54, of Broad Gates, Silkstone, said: “I do enjoy it a lot, the parents come up and help set up with me and they stay to watch their kids and encourage them from the sidelines.”

He added: “It feels weird to be nominated for an award, people have come up to me in the past and said that I deserve some recognition for what I’ve done but it’s nice that someone has actually nominated me for what I do.”