Southend Sports Council chiefs have been amazed by the number of entries their annual Sports Personality of the Year awards have attracted for 2002.

Around 40 nominations have been received for the awards, which will be presented at the mayor's parlour at Porters in Southchurch Road.

"It is the biggest response we have ever had," said sports council chairman Paul Hart. "In other years we have got between 10 and 20 entries.

"We have had quite a lot of young girl footballers nominated which is nice to see because girls football is coming on in Southend."

Awards will be presented in three categories: junior, senior and coach of the year.

Published Friday, January 24, 2003

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