BURTON Albion will be recognised in Parliament for their outstanding community work having been named Midlands Checkatrade Community Club of the Year.
The news was announced today as part of the 2017 EFL Awards.
Following the outstanding efforts of Burton Albion Community Trust, the club will be joined alongside five other EFL regional winners at the House of Commons on Monday 6 March to receive their awards with EFL Chief Executive Shaun Harvey, Communities Minister Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth and event sponsor Andrew Griffiths MP all confirmed to speak at the event.
Burton Albion will then be put forward alongside the five other regional winners for the 2017 Checkatrade Community Club Year of the Award, which will be announced at the EFL Awards on Sunday 9 April in central London.
Burton Albion Community Trust were commended for introducing prostate checks for fans with PCUK which ultimately led to 11 of the 130 fans tested being referred to hospital, diagnosed with prostate cancer and receiving treatment.
Andy Taylor, Burton Albion Community Trust Chief Executive, said: "It has been another exceptional year for the trust not only delivering ground-breaking projects such as our prostate cancer screening programme with Queen's Hospital but also opening the 3G pitch at the Pirelli Stadium which will be a fantastic community asset. The award is recognition for all the hard work and passion shown by everyone connected with the trust who are committed to making a difference in the community we serve."
Ben Robinson, Burton Albion FC Chairman, said: "The football club is fully committed to supporting the community trust and we are all extremely proud of the work it does. I am delighted that work has been recognised by this award and that the powerful brand of Burton Albion Football Club is being used to do so much brilliant work in the community."
John Jackson, Chairman of BACT, said: "This award would not have been possible without the tireless work of the incredible management and staff at the trust and the unflinching support of our partners, sponsors and stakeholders. We also have the full backing of the football club and it's the unique nature of Burton Albion that makes it all possible."
Shaun Harvey, EFL Chief Executive, said: “The announcement of the Regional Award winners, provides a fitting tribute to the work that takes place to transform local communities through the power of football.
“All Clubs, not just the winners, work tirelessly to connect with local supporters and I am delighted to see such innovative and effective ideas recognised in this way.”
The six regional winners were selected by an independent judging panel including The Times’ Chief Football Writer, Henry Winter, Football Policy Advisor at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Sam Haylen, Director of CSR at The PFA, John Hudson and Sport England’s Strategic Lead for Relationships, Greg Clements.
EFL Trust Director of Operations, Mike Evans, praised the fantastic work completed by all six clubs via the work of their community trusts. He said: “Without question this was the strongest year we have ever had in terms of quality of Community Club of the Year applications, giving the judging panel some really tough decisions.
“All of our club trusts should be rightly proud of their efforts, and for the six selected clubs it’s a tremendous honour to be recognised by Parliament and to be showcased in the House of Commons.
“They are deserving winners and great ambassadors for the work of all EFL clubs in their communities across the country.”
For more information regarding the 2017 EFL Awards, visit: www.eflawards2017.co.uk/home