An 86-year-old who founded a community football club almost half a century ago is up for an award at Sunday's BBC Sports Personality of the Year contest.

Margaret Simons, who launched Bardwell Football Club in Bicester in 1964, was named an unsung hero in a star-studded regional award ceremony earlier this week.

Now, the grandmother-of-two is in the running for the national title at the televised event in Birmingham.

A former dinner lady, Mrs Simons launched the club 43 years ago after taking a football into Brookside Primary School, in Bicester, to keep youngsters amused at break times.

Since then, she has witnessed thousands of youngsters going through the club - with several becoming professional football players, including former Oxford United striker Peter Foley.

Mrs Simons, of Maple Road, Bicester, said: "I'm very proud to win the award.

"The club is a massive part of my life - how could it not be when I've been involved for over 43 years?

"I'm really pleased to win but I'm not collecting the award for myself, I'm collecting it for the club.

"I am a bit overwhelmed by all the attention but I really appreciate everything that has been done.

"We've started to make a real impact in the community - football wasn't really for ladies when I was a young girl so to be able to get involved over the years has been really enjoyable."

Mrs Simons, who was nominated for the award by club secretary Kevin Barker and chairman Roy Crosth- waite, also received a £2,500 bursary.

Bardwell FC has 10 teams, totalling about 160 players, from under-10s to adults.

There are also under-six, seven and eights sections.

Mr Barker, 50, of Hudson Street, Bicester, said about 3,000 youngsters had played for the club since 1964, including several generations of the same families.

He said: "She's an inspiration. It's an amazing achieve- ment. Without a doubt she is an unsung hero - but she doesn't believe it herself, she does it because she enjoys it. She's very passionate and has very high standards.

"She still even kicks footballs around on the pitch at 86 years old. People cannot believe that a lady of 86 can still manage to do so much.

"She has taken up nearly every position at the club - manager, secretary, treasurer and fundraiser.

"The club has since progressed steadily.

"They have won some tournaments and been abroad.

"Margaret's got a wealth of scrapbooks on Bardwell FC with photographs and all the facts and figures and players and people who have moved on.

"The respect she gets from the children is amazing."

Philippa Burge, 12, of Ravencroft, Bicester, has played for Bardwell for seven years.

She said: "I like meeting new friends and having the chance to play girls' football.

"I would say Mrs Simons deserves this award. Most people know who she is."