Football coach, who passed away on January 1, hailed by wife Sonia and friend Troy Townsend

The late Steve Browne was honoured last week by the London FA for his work with Haringey Borough Women and S & T Academy before his death at the start of this year.

The passionate and enthusiast local coach passed away on January 1 after a five-year battle with cancer.

Before losing his fight, Browne transformed the fortunes of the Haringey team, after achieving similar at many other clubs.

Troy Townsend, the father of Crystal Palace winger Andros, presented the award, for contribution to women and girls football, to Steve’s wife Sonia.

A statement from London FA read: “Steve did fantastic work at both Haringey Borough Women and S & T Academy before sadly passing away this year.”

Sonia Browne went on to discuss her late husband, she said: “Thank you to the London FA and everybody that voted for Steve.

“He would be up here wondering what all the fuss is about. It is just something he did. He said football created families and Steve was just really good at creating families.

“Steve found his players. He would stop the car and say to the kids ‘I can’t approach that girl, but run out; she is kicking a ball against a tree’ and that went on for years despite his chemo and being sick.

“As a result over the last two seasons Steve’s girls have gone up a league and won the cup and four of them have got football scholarships.”

Townsend worked with Browne at the S & T Academy and had worked with the coach at various other clubs.

He paid tribute to his good friend and hailed his commitment and passion for women and girls football.

“Quite simply Steve was a legend of the game and not only from a playing perspective where he played for a number of clubs,” said Townsend.

“In non-league football he helped me forge a career in management and we started the S & T Academy and started to devote ourselves to women and girls football.

“We were working in schools and he would see the best talent around, but he was more than just a coach.

“He would take time with people, he cared, he was passionate and would drive to Timbuktu if he could to collect players and make sure they got home.

“The disease never stopped him from being passionate and never stopped him from trying to give back to the game.

“That is why he is winning this award and Sonia has proudly accepted it because he is one of the most committed people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting first of all, working with secondly and then hiring. I am so proud.”