Sholing icon Dave Diaper capped off a remarkable 25 years in charge of the club by being awarded the Non-League Paper Lifetime Achievement Award at The Non-League Paper’s National Game Awards in association with Isuzu.

Before stepping down in October and becoming director of football, Diaper managed over 1,200 games with the Boatmen, with the highlight undoubtedly FA Vase glory in 2014 after beating West Auckland Town in the Wembley final.

The National Game Awards honours non-league's best and brightest and are held each year by the The Non-League Paper, the UK’s number one selling football title and the best place for your non-league news.

Having spent a quarter of a century with Sholing, Diaper looked back on his proudest achievements in charge of the side.

He reflected: "A highlight has got to be the FA Vase final against West Auckland, we beat them 1-0 and my life changed ever since that day.

"It's quite ironic really.

"Three weeks after that I got diagnosed with bladder cancer which I managed to beat so that was a great achievement.

"Winning the FA Vase, I'll always remember that. Wembley's such a special place and to actually manage there was unbelievable.

"I feel quite lucky and honoured to be honest with you.

"When I took on the job it was 1999, I had a plan to stay on for two or three years and every year I got asked the same question: 'We want you to stay, are you going to stay?'

"I just said yes so many times and it became a natural thing.

"I progressed to running the club for quite a few numbers of those years which was hard work, a lot of dedication but it was totally enjoyable.''

After receiving the award for a lifetime of devotion to Sholing, Diaper expressed his thanks to the Non-League Paper for the recognition.

He said: "I feel quite humble.

"I did something I really enjoyed for 25 years and I'm getting recognised for it.

"The Non-League Paper is unbelievably good.

"It shows you true insights into true football so I'm very honoured and privlIged to be accepting this award."

The club legend also sought to pay tribute to the fans who helped make his time at the club so special.

He added: "I will miss it but I'm still going to be a fan.

"I'm a lifetime president now so I'll be out there regularly.

"The fans have been brilliant, so so brilliant to me over the years and I've got a lot of affection for them.

"It's a football family and they're part of it as well."

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