Sandbach United Football Club's diversity and inclusion officer, Liz Clark, has won a top sports award.

Liz, who has volunteered at the Hind Heath Road club for over 10 years, has won Volunteer of the Year in the Everybody Awards 2022.

The club stalwart spends much of her spare time volunteering at the club and developed the girls' section plus a range of other initiatives.

And last night (Friday) she received the award at an event hosted by Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson at Crewe Hall in Crewe.

Liz said: "I just couldn't believe it. There were such a lot of people doing such good work there. I was overwhelmed but absolutely delighted.

"I feel so honoured to receive this award and couldn't be prouder."

Liz spends much of her spare time volunteering at Sandbach United and developed the girls' section plus a range of other initiatives.

Sandbach United Football Club is the Cheshire branch of CP United – a club specifically for children and adults with Cerebral Palsy or a brain injury.

Sessions have been set up to give people locally an opportunity to play in an inclusive environment, thanks to Liz's hard work.

Congratulations have been pouring in from Sandbach United to Liz on the news.

Club chairman, Peter Colclough said: "Huge congratulations Liz. You have had a massive impact on how the club integrates with the community and you should be very proud of the many people you have helped over the years. Well done!"

Another said: "Liz is passionate about making football available and accessible to everyone.

"You probably know her as the organising force behind Wildcats but she is so much more than that.

"She is the glue that holds the girls' section together.

"And it's not just girls' football. She's there for everything from Macmillan coffee mornings to CP united for kids with cerebral palsy to getting people together to watch the Lionesses win the Euros.

"This is a fantastic recognition of her passion and commitment to inclusion at our club and fully deserved."      

 Everybody Health and Leisure run 16 leisure facilities throughout Cheshire East, including Sandbach Leisure Centre.