ST Albans Centurions club secretary Tony Bottomley has won the RFL Lifetime Achievement Award for London and the South.

The London and The South Rugby League Regional Awards took place at the Emirates Stadium, home of Arsenal FC.

The awards are seen as celebrating those who have contributed so much to amateur Rugby League.

Bottomley’s connection with Rugby League is impressive. He was born into a well known rugby league family in Yorkshire and played for Halifax, Hull KR, Bramley and England U19s.

When he moved to Herts, he helped set up and run Ealing RL club. He was the chairman of the London Amateur Rugby League for 10 years, on the London Junior Development Committee for 11 years, the manager of the Herts RL service area for three years, and manages the South African Wild Dogs national team.

Centurions chairman, Brian Parker, said: “This is a prestigious award, and for Tony to receive it is wonderful.

“It shows how much he is thought of by the Rugby League, and it is so well deserved.

“The amount of time Tony puts in, not only for us at The Cents, but for Rugby League in general, is amazing.

“I can’t think of anyone who deserves it more.”