Dave Herbert Acheivement Award -

At the AFC Dronfield Annual Presentation Evening in April 2003, the Herbert family, in memory of David, presented the club with a trophy that is to be presented each year to a person, or a group of people, who in the opinion of the family have achieved something, either outstanding, or exceptional to the benefit of the game of football, or to the club.

David Herbert was born in Sheffield, and achieved what all aspiring youngsters desire, to become a professional footballer. He rose through the ranks of junior football in Sheffield and was spotted playing for a local boys club. Offered an apprenticeship at Sheffield Wednesday, where his ability gave rise to him achieving a professional contract, he played regularly for the first team through the 1970’s.

After retiring David became involved with AFC Dronfield when his son Matthew succeeded his passion for the game at the age of 9. Invited by the club to become coach and manager of Matt’s age group, David went on to produce one of the most successful and respected teams that AFC
Dronfield has ever produced.

David’s passion and desire for the club and the game was so great, that when his own team wasn’t playing, you would frequently see him on the touchline of any match, or matches, taking place locally on a Sunday, encouraging youngsters of all abilities to “Do Their Best”. Such was his enthusiasm to see youngsters achieve.

For years David worked tirelessly on behalf of AFC Dronfield, being one of the major fund raiser’s when the initial idea of a “Sportsman’s Dinner” was put forward. Over the years this became one of the most respected and attended evenings that any sporting club promoted in the area.

David’s passion for AFC Dronfield was such that, at his request, donations at his funeral were to be given to the club. The club would like to make it known that the donation was a substantial four figure sum, which was duly very humbly received.

To compliment this humbling donation, the Club has promised that, when the Clubhouse on Gosforth Fields is completed, a
Trophy Presentation cabinet will be erected, and in it in pride of place will sit the Award Trophy named in David’s memory, along with the David Herbert Memorial Trophy, which will be competed for each and every year at the Gosforth Field’s Tournament between AFC Dronfield and Dronfield Town FC.

Every year in March ALL members of AFC Dronfield will have the right to make a single nomination to the Club Chairman for a deserving individual, or group, to be considered for the award. The chairman will then present these nominations to the Herbert Family, who will then make their decision as to who is to be the rightful and deserving recipient.

AFC Dronfield U14’s 1998-99
Sheffield and District Junior League Division B Champions & Cup Winners

Top Row
David Herbert, Dave Blackmore, Rob Whitfield, Nicky Ellis, Liam Hayes, Daniel Lock, Daniel Hill, Ashley Wood

Bottom Row
Ryan Holdsworth, Alec Ransome, Alex Hughes, Matt Herbert, Joe Griffin, Chris Bottomley, Mark Franklin