TOM Glick may think he has got it tough as chief executive of Derby County – but Victor Venus knows only too well the challenges of leading a football club.

The 57-year-old was chairman of Field Lane Football Club in Alvaston for more than 15 years – becoming involved in its activities after watching his six-year-old son, Adam, playing for one of its teams back in the mid-1990s.

After turning around the club from making an annual £500 loss into a profit, he began recruiting new players, setting up new teams and organising tournaments for youngsters.

He would devote up to 20 hours each week on the club, while also working for British Telecom.

He may have stepped down as chairman in January 2009 and retired from working life last December, but Victor is still vice-chairman of, and heavily involved in, the club.

He has been nominated for a Derby Telegraph Community Champions award in recognition of his service.

Victor, of Petersham Drive, Alvaston, said: "It's lovely to be nominated, although I've never done things for recognition.

"It was really by chance I got involved at all. I could see things that could be done better and, during those first few years, I had great people to help me."

The club, which plays at Field Lane Community Centre, has 15 teams catering for under-sevens through to seniors.

Victor was nominated by Field Lane secretary Daniel Hawksworth.

The 18-year-old, of Rockbourne Close, Alvaston, said: "Victor hasn't been recognised for his hard work and he should be, because the club could have disappeared without him."

The Derby Telegraph has teamed up with BBC Radio Derby, Derbyshire Building Society, Derby City Council and Derby County Football Club to launch the Community Champions awards.

On Sunday, May 16, our 14 winners will be invited to a ceremony at Pride Park Stadium, where local celebrities will present their prizes.

Nomination forms can be found on www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/champions or www.bbc.co.uk/derby. They are also in some copies of the Derby Telegraph or can be collected from BBC Radio Derby in St Helen's Street, Derby, and from Derbyshire Building Society branches. They should be sent to Caroline Jones, Community Champions, Derby Evening Telegraph, Northcliffe House, Meadow Road, Derby DE1 2BH by Friday, April 2.