DOVERCOURT Vipers have received their Charter Standard Award from the Essex County FA.

This special accreditation is awarded to clubs that are adjudged to be well-run and sustainable and which prioritise child protection, quality coaching and implementation of the Respect programme.

In five years the club, who play out of Harwich’s Mayflower School, have gone from one team of seven players to six teams featuring 82 youngsters.

Chairman Chris Smith said: “As a club, we’re very proud.

“Everyone has worked hard to achieve this status, which is not easy as the criteria is lengthy and very strict.”