Irish striker John O'Flynn and Geordie midfielder Nicky Deverdics did a fine job in the community for Barnet FC on Tuesday evening.

They accompanied Janet Matthewson, Barnet's Football in the Community manager, to the Artsdepot at North Finchley to present the annual Jack Petchey achievement awards in conjunction with Youth and Connexions.
The Jack Petchey Awards enables schools/colleges/youth clubs etc. to recognise the effort, endeavour and achievement of young people in a practical and positive way. The winners receive funds to be put to good use within their schools/colleges or youth clubs. It also enables the organisations to nominate an adult to win a Jack Petchey Foundation Leader Award (youth worker, volunteer, teacher, non-teaching member of staff etc.)

Children from schools across the borough won awards for their achievements, which ranged from those of a personal nature to doing something for their school or the community. The awards also recognise adults and teachers who connect with the children ... one of winners was a caretaker nominated by the children within the school.

O'Flynn and Deverdics presented all the awards and were personally thanked for their attendance by the Mayor Barnet, Councillor John Marshall, Flo Armstrong, Head of Youth & Connexions, and Stephen Day from the Jack Petchey Foundation.

A musical interlude between the awards included a choir, a jazz band, a pianist, dancers and a soloist who sang 'Proud'.

Deverdics and O'Flynn, both new to Barnet this season, impressed the children - and were themselves impressed by an evening summed up by Janet Matthewson as:" a great evening, with great performances and such a positive way to present the youth of the borough".

Note: Jack Petchey is a former chairman of Watford FC and a director of West Ham United.


Dennis Signy