SAINTS striker Agustin Delgado was the guest of honour for the presentation of the FA backed Friends Provident Fair Play awards, held in the Mike Channon suite at St Mary's on Sunday.

Hundreds of parents, coaches and footballing youngsters from across the county attended the special lunch to honour players aged between seven and 15 for their achievements this season.

World Cup star Delgado handed out the trophies, which particularly rewarded sporting behaviour on and off the pitch.

The Fair Play Trophy and a cheque for £500 towards a new kit for his club Warsash Wasps went to Lee Mcilveen - a player who was leading scorer, but apparently even stopped to apologise to referees for handballs!

The young referee award went to 15-year-old Jack Cousens who officiated on the under-14 Tyro League Dalton Cup and the Eastleigh and District mini-soccer league finals.

Club of the year went to Granley Rovers under-11s and the newly formed Micheldever girls' football club under-12s.

A special award for contribution to youth football went to Jessica Churcher, who runs her own team of under 11s and also organises the fixtures for the Eastleigh mini soccer under-10s.

"Playing fair is very important and I was very honoured to be asked to come and present the awards," said Delgado, who gave up his Sunday for the ceremony and stayed on after the presentation to sign autographs and pose for photographs with young fans.

Also present at the lunch was Power FM commentator Peter Hood, who is now winding down from a season culminating in covering the FA Cup final and his new found pop star status following the release of a top 20 single.

Dave Puckett, of the Saints Academy, said: "Respecting the referee and other players is very important. You should abide by the decision of the referee and it is something we want to install into young footballers at an early age."

Nick Boakes, Friends Provident's director of group communications, said: "This is the fourth successive year that we have run the Fair Play awards.

"This important event helps us build closer links with the Hampshire community in general and forms part of our broader commitment to act responsibly wherever our business has an impact.

"I am delighted with the tremendous response once again from everyone who entered. The standard was very high which made judging very difficult."

Ashley Taylor, of Friends Provident, added: "It has been a fantastic season with Saints this year. We have also obviously reaped the rewards from that and we wanted to put something back. Friends Provident has a long history of working within the community.

"The turnout is fantastic and it is superb. Playing fair is absolutely critical. They are characteristics that make you a more rounded person off the field as well on it."

Winners and runners up.

Fair Play Trophy. Winner: Lee Mcilveen (Warsash Wasps FC). Runners-up: Jamie Simmons (Hart FC), Dan Pemberton (Colden Common under-10s C team), Alex Belkus (AFC Dynamo FC), Beau Bachelor (Lymington Sprites FC).

Young referee award. Winner: Jack Cousens. Runners-up: Leigh McIldoon, Stephen Graham.

Boys' club of the year. Winner: Granley Rovers under-11s. Runners-up: St Francis youth football club, Crofton Saints football club under-13s, Bashley Robins youth football club.

Girls' club of the year. Winner: Micheldever girls football club under-12s. Runner-up: Winchester Girls football club.

Contribution to youth football: Winner: Jessica Churcher. Runner-up: Lisa Butler, Julian Trindle, John Spalding.

Most improved boys - Under-10s. Winner: Matt Cone. Runners-up: Sean Read, Robert Degan. Under-12s. Winner: Darren Wallace. Runners-up: Luke Colebrook, Jack Goffin. Under-16s. Winner: Tom Banks. Runner-up: Sam Norris, Robbie Searle.

Most improved girls. Winner. Jessica Neyhoe. Runners-up: Natile Gilmour, Vicky Musslewhite.