ONE man’s mission to get more girls into football has been recognised for an Oxfordshire FA award.

Kevin Taylor, club chairman of Benson United, has made it his goal to establish two new girls’ teams ahead of the new season in September.

The site manager from Wallingford, who became chairman of the club in January, said girls in the area were being deprived of the chance to play football, and were having to travel long distances to get a game.

The 44-year-old set up a campaign including a Facebook page, visits to schools promoting the side, leaflets, and writing in newsletters across the community.

As a result, Benson United will go into the new season with two new girls sides – under-10s and under-12s – as well as new under-6s boys team to add to the existing under-15s girls side and under-7s, under-8s, under-9s, and under-11s boys sides.

Mr Taylor’s efforts have been rewarded with a nomination for the Charter Club of the Year Award, an accolade given to clubs for their effort to get children into football.

He managed to recruit a total of 60 youngsters to the club.

He said: “I became the chairman in January because the previous chairman stepped down and I felt it was time for the club to move in a different direction.

“With girls it is about breaking the taboo that football is just for boys so I was working hard on that and the response we have is really good.

“We have been nominated for the Charter Club of the Year by the Oxfordshire FA which is really flattering .”

Chris Webb, the club’s current manager for the under 15s girls side, said: “We have always been looking to expand because we have had a lot of girls showing an interest.

“I have never seen any reason as to why girls can’t play football.”

The winner of the Charter Club of the Year will be revealed on June 12.