Congratulations are in order to FSA members the Official Accrington Stanley Supporters Trust (OASST) who have been awarded a King’s Award for Voluntary Service – the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and equivalent to an MBE. 

Volunteers at OASST operate various projects such as an Accrington Market Hall shop, local foodbanks, social evenings, and a free children’s Christmas party alongside a wide range of fundraising events – and of course they run coach travel to away fixtures.

And now the trust’s tireless work to strengthen the bond between the football club, its supporters and the local community has received Royal recognition.

Peter Leatham, chair of OASST, said: “On behalf of our Trust Board, many members, and our forefathers in our supporters clubs, we are deeply honoured to be selected to receive the King’s Award for Voluntary Service.

“This award is a massive honour and is testament to all the hours, close to 7,000 in the past 12 months, that the trust and our volunteers donate to help our community, our football club and its supporters.”

“We are immensely proud of all our achievements but particularly our Memorial Garden sited at the stadium which provides a quiet area for the whole community to visit and remember loved ones.

“Whilst we have achieved plenty there is always much more to do, and we are committed to continuing our efforts to assist many as much as possible!”

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to benefit their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and recipients are announced annually.

Join your local supporters’ organisation

Supporters’ groups across the country carry out fantastic work, and a lot of it is focused on the local community. We’d encourage all fans to join their local group – see a list of FSA member groups here.

Find out more about the OASST: www.onstanleyon.com

• By fans, for fans – join the FSA for free today…