A woman who set up a disabled fans forum in partnership with Wingate and Finchley has just missed out after she was nominated for a major award.

Manisha Tailor was nominated for the Mind Wellbeing Award after setting up the forum, which is an initiative using football to help adults with mental illness develop social skills and aid their inclusion within society.

It was initially a self-funded project but after her tireless efforts, she was rewarded with funding to assist with the purchase of equipment and hiring an indoor facility during the winter.

In the New Years Honours List for 2017 Tailor was awarded an MBE for services to football and diversity in sport.

She became a young carer for her twin brother as he suffered from mental illness having been the victim of severe bullying at school and in 2011 gave up her role as a deputy head teacher to care for him and set up her own company.

Now an FA Tutor, she also works at QPR as a foundation phase coach having dedicated many volunteered hours to the club for months.

On receiving news of the nomination, Tailor said: “To be nominated for something that is so personal to me is special. Becoming a carer for my twin who was diagnosed with mental illness at the age of 18 changed my life completely.

“I have to live with watching someone I love suffer every day of my life. But, being able to set up a provision which I self-funded and from scratch, as a vehicle for helping adults with mental illness is rewarding beyond words”.

In their third year, the BEDSAs are leading the way in recognising and celebrating sporting excellence within Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities.

The awards took place on Saturday at the London Hilton Park Lane Hotel, where Sonia Smith, of Coping with Football, ended up with the prize.