Sports Personality of the Year 2023: Des Smith's Unsung Hero award 'surreal'

The BBC Sports Personality Unsung Hero award winner has described his victory as a "bit surreal".

Des Smith, 70, is the chairman of Sheffield Caribbean Sports Club and has been described as its "driving force".

The club offers a range of activities with five cricket teams and eight junior football sides as well as netball and hockey teams.

Mr Smith said he hoped the award would help with the club's campaign for a new pavilion.

Speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield, he said: "It's quite a surprise and still a bit surreal.

"This award is not just for me but for all the people I've worked with, particularly those at Caribbean Sports Club."

He said he had no idea he would win and it had been a "totally new experience".

"Everyone was absolutely great, it was a really very happy occasion, everyone was so friendly, you just felt a part of it."

Mr Smith said he had a small speech prepared but was still surprised.

"I had about a 100 words written out but I wasn't expecting to be given the mic and [told] 'say your piece', so I think I went on a little bit."

Des Smith said he had a speech prepared but felt he might have "went on a bit"

He said sport had helped him integrate when he emigrated to the UK from Jamaica as a 13-year-old in 1966.

Sheffield Caribbean Sports Club was founded in Ecclesfield in 1965 as a youth club.

"A lot of the people who started it are still around today and still involved."

Mr Smith said the campaign to get a new pavilion was paramount.

"We do get a number of young people now using the club. I think going forward we do need a clubhouse which is fit for purpose so our young people can really enjoy it."

He said a number of people at last night's ceremony had been encouraging about the campaign.

"The community is pretty engaged in ensuring that happens so I am keeping my fingers crossed."