Celebrating Community Heroes with LIBERTY Steel UK

LIBERTY Steel UK continues its social project, the Ambassador Awards, as part of its Community Engagement Programme. Employees holding significant roles in community projects or organisations are being rewarded through the Ambassador Awards with £300 certificates for their projects. Today, we introduce two passionate nominees who dedicate their free time to supporting young talent and fostering a love for football.

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Meet Patrick Sunter, an alloy stores team member at LIBERTY Narrow Strip in Brinsworth, and his team in the photo below.

Beyond his responsibilities at work, Patrick has been dedicated to administrating Brinsworth DC Football Club for over a decade, currently serving as the club secretary. Patrick sheds light on the unique ‘DC’ in their name, revealing, “DC are the initials of a very close friend of the team who sadly took his own life back in May 2011. Danny Cavill was his name and was a close friend of a lot of the players.”

Brinsworth DC currently reigns as champions of the Rotherham Premier League, a testament to their hard work and commitment. They face the Montgu Cup Final on Easter Monday and welcome young talent with open arms, providing a platform for aspiring players to shine in the top division.

As club secretary, Patrick juggles a multitude of tasks. From organizing fixtures and securing pitches to ensuring referees and away teams are informed, he wears many hats. His role as a former player and assistant manager has evolved into this crucial behind-the-scenes position, allowing him to contribute while enjoying more time with his family.

The Liberty voucher will be a welcome boost for Brinsworth DC. Maintaining a pitch for the season costs £1,000, and additional expenses like league fees, referee payments, and equipment further strain the club’s finances. Grassroots football, Patrick emphasizes, has become increasingly expensive for local teams.

“We have to do 3 or 4 fundraisers a year and charge players a weekly fee just to cover basic costs,” he explains. “Every bit of support is truly appreciated.”

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Andrew Cheetham, a Senior Process Metallurgist at Remelted Steels in Stocksbridge, dedicates his out-of-office hours to coaching and fundraising for Brunsmeer U9 Football Club, a recently established team for boys under nine (in the photo below). Recognising that not all youngsters aspire to professional careers, Brunsmeer focuses on fostering a love for the game and encouraging skill development at all levels.

Andrew’s son is a center-half on the team, and he readily lends a hand with coaching whenever needed. Their current priority is acquiring a seating bench for substitutes and investing in warm hats and coats to keep the boys comfortable during games.

Despite being a new club, Brunsmeer has shown impressive progress in the first half of the season, losing only a handful of matches by narrow margins. They eagerly await the second half’s kick-off in early February.

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These are just a few examples of the many dedicated individuals who keep grassroots football thriving in our communities. The Ambassador Awards project, by recognising and supporting their efforts, helps ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy the game and the many benefits it brings.