Special Olympian honoured

GUERNSEY'S Special Olympics football team captain Colin Robins has picked up the BBC South-West disabled sportsperson of the year award. In a separate category, Andy Priaulx finished runner-up as the South-West sports personality of the year.

At the glitzy event in Plymouth on Sunday night, Robins held off stiff competition to collect the award that was in recognition of leading his team to the gold at the Special Olympics in Glasgow during the summer.

When his name was read out, it was a truly special moment for the 24-year-old goalkeeper who has a learning disability .

'I was ecstatic and nervous,' he said.

'It was a team game and I was lucky enough to be nominated.

'I thought I was up against some good people but at the back of my mind I thought I might have won it.

'For the two other contenders, one had won two gold medals and the other had multiple gold medals so I had to listen to that before they read mine out. I was over the moon when I won.'

BBC Spotlight presenters Justin Leigh and Natalie Contah hosted the evening that was recorded for TV and was attended by more than 200 people.

The 6ft 4in. States Works employee recalled his acceptance speech.

'When I went up on the stage, Natalie, the host, asked me if I wanted to say a few words,' he said.

'I thanked my team mates, for if it wasn't for them I wouldn't have won it. I thanked my coaches and I thanked my family who have supported me throughout the year.'

Fellow Sarnian Priaulx, who won the World Touring Car Championship last month, picked up the honours in the motor sport category but lost out to Plymouth boxer Scott Dann in the main event. It is the second year running that the British middleweight champion has won the title after receiving the most votes in a telephone poll.

A source at the BBC confirmed that Priaulx was leading the race after the first couple days but hometown favourite Dann came through in the end.

England opening batsman Marcus Trescothick came third and the test cricket umpire from Devon, David Shepherd, collected a special lifetime achievement award.

For football mad Robins, the highlight of the evening was meeting members of the Yeovil Town football club, who were crowned the team of the year. He follows Tottenham Hotspur and Scotland, whose shot stopper, Craig Gordon, is his favourite keeper.

'He is the same height and age as me,' he said.

'We've both got a lot in common. When I'm not playing football, I'm watching it or I'm playing it on my Playstation and I also help out with my dad's Sunday team, the Cosmos.

'I help with the oranges and the kit and I thoroughly enjoy it.'