Mr Hopkins was given a big surprise today when he was rewarded by Barclays Premier League title sponsors Barclays for years of dedication to coaching football in the community!

Mr Hopkins, Acting Deputy Head Teacher at Lansdowne, received a surprise visit on Wednesday afternoon (06.11.13) when Cardiff City FC defender Ben Turner walked into the school assembly and presented him with 25 tickets to Cardiff City v West Bromwich Albion in the Barclays Premier League on December 14. The Cardiff City FC Community & Education Foundation also presented Mr Hopkins with a framed shirt signed by the entire 1st team squad.

This season, Barclays is thanking community heroes, fans and players for making the game what it is, and identified Mr Hopkins as one of these community heroes. He has been running the school football team for nearly 20 years and in that time has introduced girls' football to the school, organised tournaments across Cardiff, arranged trials for his pupils with local clubs, and won a number of coaching and volunteering awards.

Speaking about his surprise, Mr Hopkins said: “It's quite humbling really. I do a lot of the football and linking up with Cardiff City just for the enjoyment of it really, rather than for any rewards. This is a real bonus – you just don't expect it!

“Every year we have a different group of children to work with and it’s just fantastic to see them enjoying their football. We put an emphasis on participation and everybody who’s interested gets to take part and hopefully represent the school."

We are really proud of Mr Hopkins - well done sir!