Football volunteer wins trip to Europa League final
- Published
Mark Frost has been a volunteer at Ilkeston Town Football Club for over a decade
A Derbyshire football club volunteer has won a trip to Wednesday's UEFA Europa League Final in Dublin as a reward for the work he does for his club.
Mark Frost, 51, won a volunteer of the season award for his commitment Ilkeston Town Football Club.
The national award was introduced to celebrate volunteers who dedicate time to grassroots and non-elite football.
Mr Frost said: "It's taken time to sink in, I'm really looking forward to it."
'I'm not in it for the praise'
Mr Frost first walked through the gates of Ilkeston Town 12 years ago and has since dedicated his spare time to helping the club, with his good deeds including playing Santa at Christmas to marking out pitches for the club's 33 youth teams.
The 51-year-old was nominated by Ilkeston Town for the Pitching In Volunteer of the Year award.
Pitching In is a grassroots sport investment programme and sponsor of the Trident Leagues, which includes Ilkeston Town's Northern Premier league.
Mr Frost gave up full time work to look after his son Matthew, who was born with a heart defect and lost a leg after a post-operative infection resulted in a heart attack.
"This football club helped me in very dark times", he said.
"When Matthew was poorly, this club really helped me and gave me some focus, which has been so rewarding.
"I'm not in it for the praise and the thank yous, I'm in it for football. To be recognised by people in football through peers I really respect, what an honour.
"To hear people from the league saying what they said about me and Ilkeston Town Football Club, it meant a real lot to me."
The UEFA Europa League Final between Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen will be at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin
As part of his prize, Mr Frost will have a kick about session with former Premier League players Diego Forlan and Robert Pires on Thursday, after Wednesday's final in Dublin.
He added: "I've been to get some new glistening boots for it but the majority of my game time will be in the technical area as my playing days are done. The new white boots I bought are shinier than my forehead!"
"I'm looking forward to it now, it's definitely sinking in more everyday."
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