Spirit of Sport - Nominees

For Jack has been the "cornerstone" of the Burnley Boys' Club he joined as a 15-year-old and still serves passionately some 48 years later.

Up until last year, he was the boys' club leader - a post he held for 26 years - and he still works at its Barden Lane base on a part-time basis.

Thanks largely to Jack's hard work, the club now has impressive facilities including a youth club, licensed bar, two all-weather pitches and two mini buses.

Over the years, Jack has played cricket and football for the boys' club and is currently manager of the team that plays in the East Lancashire League - one of the club's four senior sides.

Away from Burnley Boys' Club, Jack serves the Burnley Sunday League as fixture secretary while he has been on the Hospital Cup committee for the past eight years. This season he has taken over the role of chairman.

As the new chairman of the Hospital Cup competition, he has been praised for showing great enthusiasm and dedication in the role.

He has helped maintain the high standards and has made sure that, as the oldest amateur cup competition in the world, the organisers keep attracting clubs to take part.

Away from the football field, Jack has played a major role in the area's other sporting achievements.

Over the last decade, he's played a part in establishing the Pendle and Burnley Grand Prix series as one of the major events in the local Athletics calendar.

David Meakin, director of finance for the East Lancs Hospital Trust and Hospital Cup committee member said: "Jack Bottomley has done stirring work on the Hospital Cup committee over the years.

"As the new chairman he has shown great enthusiasm and dedication in the role.

"We have raised a lot of money for the Trust over the years and Jack has more than played his part, to which we have very grateful."

John Pilling, chairman of Burnley Sunday Football League, said: "Jack is a terrific man and a real leader. He has done a lot for football in Burnley and many other sports in the borough.

"He is a very commitment man and a hard worker. You know with Jack you are going to get a good job and he would be a worthy winner of the award."

Debra is a tireless worker behind the scenes. BEHIND every success story on the field of play, there is unsung hero off the field of play.

At North West Counties Division Two champions Bacup Borough, Debra O'Connor is that unsung hero.

Her biggest supporters - the club's management staff - describe her as the "backbone" of the club, for her ability to juggle a number of vital roles, while handling her own family commitments.

And they commend her for her immense "strength of her character".

For not only does Debra work tirelessly behind the scenes at the club, but she also brings up two young daughters on her own.

And one of them, 13-year-old Amy, suffers from Crohn's Disease.

But while Debra could be forgiven for doing less than most people in her situation, she actually does the work of six or seven people.

Her official title at Bacup is commercial manager but she is so much more than that.

Not just on match day, where she does everything and anything, but on other days of the week where she oversees weddings and children's birthday parties - vital fund-raisers for a club working on a shoe-string budget.

Many say that Bacup Borough Football Club could not run without Debra O'Connor - it's as simple as that.

She makes the club tick and there is no job behind the scenes that she hasn't turned her hand to.

On match days, she prepares the refreshments and can be found on the gate or selling raffle tickets. Even when the team plays away from home, she makes packed lunches for the players.

Her role on the hospitality side of things is vital as it brings in much needed cash for the club that is run on a voluntary basis.

Bacup manager Brent Peters said: "Debra does the work of six or seven people and as far as I am concerned, she is irreplaceable.

"She makes the club tick and there is no job behind the scenes that she hasn't turned her hand to.

"She has her own problems to contend with as she has a very poorly daughter so, in that respect, Debra is a remarkable lady."

Club secretary Frank manning added: "Debra is just fantastic.

"Without this girl we would be lost. I have never known anyone to work as hard as she does.

"Debra does so with her own difficult circumstances and she always has a friendly welcome and cheery smile for everyone.

"Debra is a big asset to the club and we simply couldn't do without her."

FOR Arthur Almond, read Mr Athletics! Few can come close to matching Arthur's dedication to any sport, let alone athletics.

For the phrase "It's a marathon not a sprint" could have been written for Arthur, who has been a coach at Blackburn Harriers for more than 40 years.

Arthur has been waving his magic wand for the past four decades and has helped athletes achieve national success.

But it's not all about winning for the athletics guru. For come rain or shine, Arthur can always be found at Witton Park twice a week helping athletes get better.

From helping runners achieve qualifying times for Commonwealth Games to helping runners just improve their personal best, everyone is treated the same under Arthur's watchful eye.

Arthur has been described by his supporters as one of the best middle distance coaches this area has ever produced.

His dedication to the sport at grassroots level is beyond question. No matter the time, the day or the weather, his presence, both at Witton Park and around the country, is ever constant and enduring.

His reputation for not only success for his athletes but the manner in which he achieves that success are the key reasons why his squad hold him in such high esteem.

He is loyal to them. He is calm and considerate, has a sense of humour and will provide boundless input when asked for or needed.

Finally, on a one-to-one basis, he will deliver that spark, knowledge or inspiration which during the pressure and strains of either training or competition can lift the spirit.

Talented young runner Robert Barton said: "I decided to leave the American university where I had a sports scholarship. I wanted to come back to England just to train again with Arthur to try and achieve my dream of running in the Olympics.

"Arthur has a habit of making dreams come true.

And Great Britain and England 800m runner Jason Lobo said: "I have worked with Arthur Almond since I was 11-years-old and he has been my guiding light and mentor.

"He has helped me reach every achievable goal within athletics for which I am hugely grateful.

"There are many other athletes Arthur has worked with who could have gone on to achieve what I have but they have opted to go to university and pursue an academic career.

"In that respect, Arthur is an unsung hero in British athletics."