Thornaby hero Ray Morton admitted that he was “very surprised” to be handed the Northern League’s top award last weekend.

Morton is the main reason why the Second Division club has been transformed from one that was facing enforced relegation through sub standard facilities a year ago, to one that has a bright future and is firmly supported by the local community.

As well as being team manager, Morton has worked tirelessly seeking grants and renovating the ground, and earlier in the season took on the secretary’s role after Peter Morris died.

Northern League chairman Mike Amos said: “The club was in serious danger of losing its Northern League status because of the dilapidated state of the ground.

“The immediate problem was that Teesdale Park’s out of the way location meant that it was a sitting target for wreckers. The club desperately needed a security fence. Ray has not only achieved that, but through countless hours of work, accessed grants from all manner of bodies to provide not just a much-improved football ground but a wonderful outlet for the community.

“Thanks chiefly to Ray’s efforts, it not only meets FA requirements, but will embrace community facilities like picnic area, fitness trail and teen shelter. The transformation is truly incredible. It has to be admitted that we never thought it was possible.”

Morton wasn’t present at the annual dinner – months ago he bought tickets to watch Supertramp at the Sage on the same night – and so club members surprised him when Thornaby had an open day last Sunday. STL Northern League sponsor Ann Barkas made the presentation of the Arthur Clark Memorial Trophy.

“It’s not very often that I’m speechless, but I was certainly caught out,” said Morton. "It was very unexpected. When you’re deeply involved, sometimes you don’t realise how much work you get through.

“More people are coming on board now to help out, and my aim now is to finish off the ground. To say that there has been a lot of hard work over the last year is an understatement.”