Millions of TV viewers saw 86-year-old Oxfordshire grandmother Margaret Simons become the nation's top unsung sporting hero tonight.

And the woman who has spent more than four decades seeing thousands of children enjoy club football quipped she would now like to take on the England coaching job.

Mrs Simons, of Maple Road, Bicester, received the trophy for Sports Unsung Hero from Oxfordshire tennis star Tim Henman and boxer Amir Khan in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year show broadcast live from Birmingham's NEC.

She was one of 15 heroes voted for from the regions of England, Scotland and Wales and made the final shortlist of three, against boxing club trainer Billy Beck, from the South East, and disabled swimming coach Nina Walker, of the East Midlands.

Mrs Simons launched Bardwell Football Club in 1964. It now has 10 teams, from under-10s to adults.

Asked by presenter Sue Barker to say a few words after receiving the trophy, Mrs Simons replied: "I'd now like the England coach's job."