We are absolutely thrilled to announce that our very own Club Secretary and founding member, Alan Hayes, has been officially shortlisted as a finalist for the Positive Behaviour Award at the Lancashire FA Red Rose Awards 2026.
Anyone involved with Hardly Athletic FC knows that Alan is the (in)visible engine of our club. From personally handling every single player registration and chasing referees to managing our independent FA Accreditation and driving our entry into the inclusion league, Alan tackles the unglamorous, heavy lifting that keeps us playing. Over the club’s lifetime, his tireless background work has positively impacted over 100 local men, helping to build the thriving community of 50 active weekly members we have today.
What makes his dedication even more remarkable is that he balances this intense administrative workload while still lacing up his boots to play for both our Over-35s and Walking Football teams. His unwavering reliability and calm, ‘can-do’ attitude make him the quiet beating heart of our club.
The Lancashire FA Red Rose Awards is an annual celebration recognizing grassroots football volunteers, coaches, clubs, leagues, and officials across Lancashire. The awards ceremony itself will be held on Thursday, November 26, 2026, at the Mercure Blackburn Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa.
This is a massive stage for Alan, especially considering the incredible national pathway attached to the event: winners and nominees are typically eligible for automatic entry into the national Grassroots Football Awards, with potential honors celebrated at Wembley Stadium.
We are incredibly proud to see Alan’s selfless dedication to grassroots football recognized at such a prestigious level. Congratulations, Alan – it is thoroughly deserved!
The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, November 26, 2026, at the Mercure Blackburn Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa. For anyone wishing to attend and support Alan, tickets and booking information can be found via the official Lancashire FA Red Rose Awards Eventbrite page.