Pride Park FC was awarded a prestigious Special Recognition Award for Safeguarding Excellence at the 2025 Derbyshire County FA Annual Awards Ceremony held at Chesterfield FC’s stadium on 17th October. The Awards are a chance to recognise, thank and celebrate the people who make the game happen in Derbyshire - club and league officials and volunteers who put time, energy and ideas into their local teams and communities and to celebrate outstanding contributions to grassroots football.

The award came as a complete surprise to Pride Park FC, whose representatives were unaware they had even been nominated. It was our club Secretary, David Kwiatek, who stepped up to collect the accolade on behalf of the club, evidently taken aback by the unexpected honour.

“We had no idea this was coming,” said Kwiatek. “To be recognised in this way means so much to everyone at Pride Park FC. Safeguarding is something we take incredibly seriously, and this award validates the hard work our volunteers put in every day to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all.”

The Special Recognition Award was presented by Franky Boyland, Sports Welfare Officer for Active Derbyshire

Jenny Blewitt, Derbyshire County FA’s Designated safeguarding Officer, said: “The Special Recognition Award for Safeguarding Excellence recognises Pride Park’s commitment to protecting the welfare of players and the club's proactive approach to safeguarding”.

To see the full gallery of images from the Ceremony, see here