Fan of the week

Brendan Richardson works a seven-day week for his beloved Radcliffe Olympic ­ who compete in the Central Midlands League Supreme Division.

The club, founded in 1876, is based in the village of Radcliffe on Trent in Nottinghamshire and Brendan was first involved with the side in the 1990-1 season when as a 16 year-old he played as a central defender for the first team.

In February 1991 he was seriously injured in a sledging accident. He crushed the vertebrae in his spine, which left him paralysed from the chest down.

Following six months in rehabilitation in Sheffield, Brendan returned to school and gained entry to Nottingham Trent University.

This is quite a task, as it doesn't just cover the Central Midlands Saturday team but seven other teams who play under the Radcliffe Olympic banner.

Brendan doesn't stop at writing and producing the club's media material.

He said: "I also raise the advertising for the programme and just try and get as many people to the home games as possible."

The 33-year-old is also credited with helping transform Radcliffe Olympic from a Sunday league side to its current position on Step 7 of the nonleague pyramid.

Their home ground means progression up the ladder is currently beyond them but that won't stop Brendan and his colleagues' ambitions for their club.

Plans for alternative sites have already been drawn up.

Brendan regards the current team as the best he has seen during his time watching Radcliffe Olympic but there no hint of him accepting the level they have reached.

He said: "As a club we are always looking to improve and I will do anything to help the club achieve this."

Brendan is one of nine regional winners in the Umbro Football Heroes scheme.

As part of winning the award, Brendan wins a set of playing kits and tickets for a game at Wembley Stadium ­although he does not know which game yet.

He was also given a commemorative plaque for the Radcliffe Olympic FC clubhouse.

Nottingham Forest winger Kris Commons, who presented Brendan with his award said: "It is quite astonishing the commitment that Brendan puts in, for someone to go through what he has, and then put so much back into the community - it is a real credit to him and the club."

Brendan Richardson is a true inspiration and has remained committed to his team, his club and nonleague football against the odds.