I WAS very sorry to read Derek Pethick's letter in last week's Times, rebuking me for not giving recognition specifically to Tavistock Association Football Club. Not least, since I have immense admiration for Derek and the drive and commitment he has brought to the Crowndale scheme for the last several years, after TAFC rejoined the scheme, having left the CRA in its early days for a number of years.

Indeed, I must draw his attention to my letter to the Times on April 2 last year, printed on the day the Football Foundation award was announced.

I named specifically TAFC and Derek, himself, when I stated that none of this would have happened without the hardwork, drive determination and commitment of its member clubs and our community had been blessed with the likes of Derek.

However, I did say in my letter, (Times, July 30), that, ' . . .there were so many I would like to thank . . . save to say they will know who they are . . .'

I included the CRA committee, of whom TAFC, indeed, became a vital component when they rejoined the CRA and subsequently formed a part of the Crowndale Coordination Group.

As a matter of fact, on this occasion, in a short letter, I thanked the main funders, who had helped TCFC/TAFC/CRA deliver improved football facilities in this area. Not thinking that the football club beneficiaries were seeking recognition, again.

I could, equally, have recognised the considerable contribution Tavistock Thistles gave to the CRA in the late 1990s under their then chairman, Don Sharland. And many, many, others, including the likes of CRA members: Marjorie Greening, Paul Johnson, Pam Smith, Janet Sainsbury, the late Mike Stephens, Jo Hawkins, Mary Steer, Liz Cribb and Vivienne Iles, all of whom worked for years to help raise tens of thousands of pounds. This, at a time when TAFC was not a member club, having left in the CRA's early days in 1994. Yet these good people, at a time when there was no certainty of success, gave faith a fighting chance in the best interests of future generations of young people.

As, what I hope, will be my last comments, having now stood down as chairman of the CRA: Derek is absolutely right; TAFC now is vital to the Crowndale scheme and, deservedly, their club is gaining its own benefits from the generous Football Foundation award.

And finally: Given that the ethos of the CRA was always about providing young people in the Tavistock area with much-needed outdoor sports facilities, I look forward to seeing a succession of TCFC/TAFC players progressing to the ranks of professional football league players, as Derek's son did, with such distinction, some years ago, after playing for TAFC.

John Warne