LAST week we discussed one of the awards we're most proud about. Today we'll revisit perhaps one of our most important.
There are striking similarities between the William Hill Fan of the Year National Game Award and our focus this week, the SCL Unsung Hero.
Firstly, we know – guaranteed – that whoever is honoured at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday May 17 will have a genuine love and passion for the game. These are not awards for your one-season wonders!
No, the Unsung Hero really does separate the men from the boys and the women from the girls. And just like we did when reviewing the Fan of the Year last Sunday, we're asking for your input to make sure the right person walks out in west London in a couple of months' time beaming from ear to ear.
Service
The process for this NGA is quite straightforward. Unlike most, it's not a straight vote – we want you to nominate the person in the Non-League game who you believe we cannot ignore, and who deserves a special day out.
That person with decades of service behind them, maybe someone who has run your club's busy tea hut singlehandedly for years without missing a game or the manager who washes the kit, fills out all the forms as well as picking the team!
This award is for the person who makes the game what it is. This is for the volunteer or the clubman who quite simply, there wouldn't be a match on a Saturday afternoon without. But it sometimes isn't just about what football fans do for their clubs. It runs much deeper than that.
Mark Lund was our worthy winner last year, a huge Skelmersdale United supporter, he scooped the award for his work setting up The Alfie Lund Fund.
His eight-year-old son suffers from MECP2 Duplication syndrome which means he cannot walk or talk. Alfie also has profound and complex learning difficulties.
Humbling
Thousands has been raised along the way and his unique scarf challenge was well received within the game – the longest chain of football scarves, shirts and flags in the world won a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.
His efforts attracted a flood of donations and worldwide interest. If he tied all of them together, it is now over three miles long!
“It's very humbling to see that amount of support,” Lund said as he collected his award. “We started off in our local park, so to get to Stamford Bridge and win an award – it doesn't get much better than that.
“It's amazing to have won. I started this off two seasons ago – we've been to 68 grounds raising awareness for my son who has a life-limiting disorder.”
It meant so much to him and there's no doubt it will to whoever takes home the NGA in May. But we need you to nominate your Unsung Hero!
NGA 2016-17 List of Awards
Mark Harrod Player of the Year
Sportsbeat Young Player of the Year
FieldTurf Manager of the Year
Reusch Goalkeeper of the Year
SK Kits Golden Boot
Brandon Hire Step 3 & 4 Player of the Year
Red Insure Team of the Year
Acerbis Cup Run of the Year
Huck Nets Goal of the Season
William Hill Fan of the Year
The Football Foundation Community Club of the Year
The PFA Fair Play Award
SCL Unsung Hero
The FA England C Player of the Year
Marathonbet Non-League Challenge Goal Celebration of the Year
The Non-League Paper Lifetime Achievement
How to vote
Please email ngavotes@greenwayspublishing.com to cast your vote or use #NGAvotes on Twitter or via post to The Non-League Paper, Tuition House, St George's Road, Wimbledon SW19 4EU
SCL are a government approved post-16 education provider in the sports sector who run Academy programmes with over 60 football, rugby and cricket, professional and grass roots sports clubs, foundations and community trusts. Find out more at www.wearescl.co.uk/education
