As published on the Bolton Wanderers Website

Bolton Wanderers’ Club Chaplain and Head of Community Trust Phil Mason has been named as the 2020 Pitching In North West Football Awards Unsung Hero.

The accolade, which was presented by former Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba, recognises the fantastic work Phil has done for the community of Bolton over many years through his role as Head of Bolton Wanderers Community Trust, Club Chaplain and his positions on several boards throughout the town.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bolton Wanderers Community Trust has supported vulnerable members of the community through their Loneliness Programme, which has engaged with local residents through telephone calls, garden gate visits and support with online shopping and ordering prescriptions.

Speaking about the award, Phil said: “I am very grateful to have won this award but I wish to dedicate it to all my colleagues in the Community Trust who always go beyond the call of duty.

“Most of them live in the town themselves and see their jobs as true vocations.

“Everybody is going through a tough time because to the pandemic, but if we all stick together as one club, one town and one community we will be much stronger as a consequence.”

Bolton Wanderers Chairman Sharon Brittan added: “I am delighted that Phil has been acknowledged in this way as he is devoted to improving the lives of others.

“He’s a great colleague and a tremendous asset, not just to Bolton Wanderers Football Club but to the town as a whole. Well done, Phil!”

This year, the NWFA was honoured to again be supporting the Darby Rimmer Foundation. Former Liverpool, Rochdale and Bolton Wanderers footballer, Stephen Darby, together with his close friend and former British Forces veteran, Chris Rimmer, set up the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation after Stephen’s sudden retirement from football in September 2018, on being diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND), aged just 29. MND is a degenerative condition that affects how nerves in the brain and spinal cord function. There is currently no cure.

For a full list of this year’s winners, visit: www.northwestfootballawards.com