The owner of Billericay Football Club, Glenn Tamplin, has been highly praised at a top awards ceremony for helping to fund life-changing surgery for a young boy.

The boss of the Isthmian Premier League side appeared at the Pride of Essex awards at Anglia Ruskin University on Tuesday night, where he received the Ultimate Award.

Speaking about the honour, Mr Tamplin, 45, said: “It was very humbling to receive the award, I do not feel I deserved a prize like that.

“My wife said to me that I need to take these highs and celebrate them, but I looked around and heard some of the stories of the people there, and it was just amazing.

“There was one guy who was a boxer and he has raised a huge amount of money for charity, his story was fantastic.”

Mr Tamplin received the award out of ten people shortlisted, for selflessly funding the life-changing surgery for eight-year-old, Harry Parker, who was born with a rare form of Cerebral Palsy.

Thanks to his huge £35,000 donation, Harry’s family was able to fund the surgery which has allowed Harry to take his first steps.

After the surgery, Mr Tamplin had a stand for disabled fans in the ever growing AGP Arena in Blunts Wall Road named after Harry.

Mr Tamplin added that he was proud that he has been able to help Harry and he hopes that working with the club will continue to silence his critics.

He said: “My lows do get me but my highs I always try not to show too much.

“That is why sometimes I react to the negativity on Twitter.

“If you look at my Twitter now, it is all about positivity and love.”

To celebrate the award, Mr Tamplin took a trip to McDonald’s in Chelmsford with his wife, Bliss.

He also returned to the Billericay Town dugout last night after a short absence during which the club picked up six points in two away games.