Purkiss picks up Community Player of the Season award...
BEN PURKISS became only the second-ever winner of the Walsall FC Community Player of the Season award for his sterling work within the local area during the course of 2013/14.Purkiss has been involved in a number of projects, including the national Text Santa Appeal, where he did some bag-packing at the local Morrison’s store on the site of our old Fellows Park ground, and National Book Day, where he attended local schools to talk to pupils about the importance of reading and his favourite books of all-time.
As well as this he has also been involved in various Team Saddlers and Community Programme events.
“It’s so important that, as professional footballers, we play our part in giving something back to the local community,” he said without hesitation. “People look up to footballers and it is essential that we are positive role-models to all members of the community.
“It’s extremely fulfilling to get out and about within the local area and interact with our fan base and also help those less fortunate.
“The Annual Christmas visit to the Children’s Ward of the Manor Hospital is a prime example of this and it’s important that we make the time to do this because it is very rewarding.
“All the players here try to be the best role-models that they can; I know that people like Romaine Sawyers have done a lot of good work with the Kick It Out scheme.
“I am delighted to pick up this award.”