Freddie Jardine Special Merit Award

Cliftonville Football Club were delighted to present the inaugural Freddie Jardine Special Merit Award to Imelda Petticrew at last night’s the Player of the Year Dinner.

Introduced to highlight individual contributions to Ireland’s Oldest Football Club, the accolade is named in honour of our much-missed former physio and acknowledges the unrelenting dedication of volunteers to whose services the Club is indebted.

A familiar face at Solitude, Imelda has served Cliftonville FC with distinction in a multitude of roles over many years and, long after players, supporters and all other staff have departed on matchdays, she remains in place to oversee a raft of post-game duties with neither fuss nor a clamour for thanks.

Chairman Gerard Lawlor explains: “The Board had been thinking of a way to honour Freddie Jardine’s memory and formally acknowledge his service, so we came up with this annual award.

“It’s chosen by the Board and will be presented to an individual who has voluntarily provided outstanding contribution and service to Cliftonville Football Club just like Freddie did.”

Following the bestowing of the accolade at the Grand Opera House, he continues: “Imelda Petticrew perfectly embodies what the Freddie Jardine Special Merit Award is all about.

“Volunteers are the heartbeat of this Club and they make Cliftonville tick day in and day out. Imelda sums that kind of spirit up and I’m delighted that she is the first winner of this award. She is deserving of all the thanks and recognition that come her way and, on behalf of not only myself and the Board, but the players, staff and our supporters also, I would like to express Cliftonville Football Club’s gratitude to her for all the work she has done this past season and for countless years before that.”