Male grooming brand BRUT, Official Aftershave and Deodorant of Super League, are proud to announce Alan Boyle as their inaugural national ‘Fan of Pride’.
The Colour Sergeant of 1st Battalion the Mercian Regiment and Warrington Wolves fan was selected from hundreds of people nominated across the country and voted for by rugby league fans.
A former rugby league player himself, it is in fact Boyle’s involvement in the sport as an administrator that has been recognised in the Award. His ‘off-field’ career has stretched from Warrington to Afghanistan via Malta in recent times, which demonstrates his huge commitment to the cause.
Boyle’s involvement came about due to a series of tragic events that rocked both his Regiment and the local community. “I started getting involved with Warrington Wolves in 2010 when I was looking after injured soldiers back in the community. Part of my role was to organise days out when we could all be together, and I went to the Wolves, who were the first to agree to such a scheme.”
However, just two weeks after the agreement, a member of Boyle’s regiment, Tom Sephton, was killed in Afghanistan. “Three days before going to our first Wolves game, Tom was killed in service. As a focal point of the community, the Club invited families down in an act of bringing everyone closer together. A Royal Marine, who was a friend of Tom’s from school, was also killed ten days prior, so it was a very difficult time. The Club looked after us magnificently, and their performance on the pitch symbolised the occasion. It was a very special day.”
Since then Alan has taken on the Sephton Trophy and grown the occasion. The Trophy, hosted on Armed Forces Day every year since, sees more than 5,000 people come to watch Crosfields, Tom’s old club, take on the Royal Engineers, and help raise money for military charities. “It’s now the biggest amateur rugby league match in Warrington and the surrounding area, and we have big plans for 2014 already. It’s an important day for the local community, and one that has been well attended since its creation.”
John McMullen, RFL Clubs and Competition Manager, who has known of Boyle’s involvement for a number of years now, said: “What Alan has achieved in the local community of Warrington has been felt far and wide by rugby league fans. As a governing body we have been aware of Boyle’s involvement for a number of years now, and for his passion and energy to be recognised by BRUT in an official capacity is something we are very pleased to support. It is characters like Alan that ensure rugby league maintains its reputation as a true community sport. Over 5,000 fans voted in the campaign, reinforcing the support in the local communities.”
Eoin Mullen, BRUT Marketing Manager, who was part of the voting panel, commented: “When we launched the competition we wanted to celebrate the real heroes of this great game – the fans. All our nominees had inspiring stories, not only in terms of being passionate fans, but also in terms of giving back to their community. Each club winner was truly a fan of pride for their respective teams. Alan’s story really won over the panel as he is providing an invaluable service to his community and has built something great from tragic circumstances. We at BRUT are very proud to recognise him for his outstanding contribution to the sport and his community.”
State of Mind would like to thank Al for all his great work and allowing State of Mind to be a part of the Tom Sephton Trophy Armed forces Day celebrations over the past two years. Hope to see you next year