The Sheppey Sunday League has received an award from the FA for their commitment to the nationwide Respect campaign.

The league has won the National FA Respect Award for Adult Grassroots Leagues and representatives will be presented with the accolade by Prince William on FA Cup final day at Wembley on Saturday.

League secretary Mark Rogers and his wife and registration secretary Lisa Rogers will attend a pre-match lunch in a luxury suite where they will receive the award.

The award came after the Kent FA recommended the Sheppey Sunday League submitted an application as a result of the way the league has embraced the campaign.

Among the ways in which it has taken the campaign message on board are the spectator lines around all the pitches the league uses, with the support of the pitch landlords and Swale Borough Council.

The lines are designed to keep spectators two metres back from the pitch, while other initiatives include incentives for fair play, including giving clubs who win the fair play award free entry the following season.

The moves have already led to cautions for dissent dropping by a third.

Mr Rogers (pictured) said: "The news arrived totally out of the blue last week. We attended a Respect conference several weeks ago and the Kent FA suggested we put ourselves forward for this award.

"I’m pleased and proud of everyone connected with the league who has made this possible with their hard work."

He added: "It is amazing to watch spectators behind the line. It does seem as though there is an invisible wall there and we can certainly say it works."