DAVID Raby has been named Burton Albion’s Fan of the Year 2018/19, and received the George Rider Memorial Trophy during half-time in the win over Luton Town.
David has been a supporter of Burton Albion Football Club for more than 30 years and he has only missed a handful of home matches due to illness within that time.
He was nominated by Gemma Lanchester who said: “He has followed the club from Eton Park where he used to attend the games with his late father.
“Every year he buys the new shirt without fail and counts down the days until it becomes available. He has recently had his room decorated and when his sister opened his draw it was full of around 30-40 BAFC shirts, which she was instructed that she was not to throw away.
“David has a learning difficulty and is unable to read and write properly, however this has never impacted on his ability to attend the matches and watch his heroes of the Burton Albion first team. You can often hear him shouting above the crowd and cheering on the team.
“David has for the last four years become a volunteer on a match day where he helps to sell programmes and clears the ground afterwards. He always has a smile on his face, and I don’t believe that there is a true Brewers fan that doesn’t know David.
“He is known to all of the security staff who all look out for him as well as all of the Burton Albion Football Club and Burton Albion Community Trust staff. He has an amazing sense of humour and interacts with everyone he comes into contact with."
The George Rider Memorial Trophy is an annual award for a supporter who has shown dedication and commitment beyond the norm in following the Brewers over the course of the season.
George Rider was the treasurer of the old Burton Albion Supporters’ Club. He invested £1,600 in Burton Albion in 1958 ensuring that £56 per year would be given to the club in perpetuity to help the advance of senior football.
After Government rules brought the investment to an end, it was decided to donate the £1,600 to BACT to help pay for a new artificial pitch at the Pirelli Stadium.
George’s granddaughter, Margaret Morton, has donated the trophy in his name and presents it to the winner annually.
Pictured: David Raby receives his award from Margaret Morton with Brewers first team player Reece Huchinson and Burton Albion Community Trust chairman John Jackson looking on.