SWINDON Spitfires stalwarts Chris and Bev Maull say it was “a dream come true” to attend last Sunday’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony.

The husband and wife team were invited to the glittering event in Glasgow as one of 15 winners of the regional Unsung Hero awards.

They were named as the winners of BBC West award last month for their long-running services to the Spitfires, who are one of the oldest female football clubs in the country.

Chris, 69, helped set up the club in 1967 and has managed and coached several sides, and now prepares the grounds and facilities at the club’s South Marston home on matchdays.

Bev, 59, started playing for the Spitfires in 1970 and took on the role as club secretary four years later, a position she still fulfils today. She also coaches several sides and still plays.

“It was fantastic to win the regional award. We were nominated by someone from South Marston, where we play all our games, so it was lovely for them to put us forward,” said Bev.

“The BBC got in contact with us and said they’d like to do some filming with us and then at the end they turned around and said actually we’d won it. It was a big surprise and we were over the moon.”

The Maulls were invited to last week’s end-of-year spectacular as a result and got to rub shoulders with the likes of overall prize winner, Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton.

There was a further surprise upon their arrival at the ceremony at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow as the Maulls were informed they had made the top-three shortlist for the national Unsung Hero award, which was ultimately won by Leicestershire swimming coach Jill Stidever.

Bev added: “We went to Glasgow and then we were told we were in the top three, which was fantastic because all of the people nominated were so inspiring and had such amazing stories.

“To be at the ceremony was a dream come true.

“It’s something we watch every year on the TV and you never think you’re going to be part of it.

“To be there and getting to meet all those incredible sports people was a real privilege.”

Spitfires are always looking for players and volunteers to help with the running of the teams.

It is also the clubs 50th anniversary in 2017 and any former players who wish to be involved with the celebrations should get in contact with Bev or Chris.