Alex Gilliead nominated as the Iron’s EFL Trust Community player of the year
Iron attacker Alex Gilliead has been nominated as the SUFC Trust’s EFL Community player of the year, sponsored by the PFA, after his impactful first season off the pitch at the football club.
The 23-year-old took an immediate interest in making a difference in the community since arriving at Scunthorpe United from Shrewsbury Town in the summer and has got involved in a number of visits and schemes to aid the progression of the Trust.
Gilliead has provided a key motivation to this year’s Futsal scholars who began with us in September, visiting a training session in 2019 to learn the technical side of the indoor sport and discover the differences between that and the professional game.
He even returned to visit them early in 2020 to experience the other side of the course. He entered the classroom to see how the scholars were progressing with their NCFE Level Three Extended Diploma in Sport & Physical Activity (Sports Coaching) with Futsal programme and to provide further inspiration for the students.
Gilliead was also one of the players who volunteered to visit the Disney Ward of Scunthorpe General Hospital prior to Christmas, handing out presents to those on the ward.
Education Manager Gav Cooper said: “We’re very grateful that a number of the Iron’s first team players have taken time out to visit us during the course of the season – either to the Futsal scholars, to our soccer camps, the hospital visit or to local schools.
“We feel that Alex has gone above and beyond with that this season and he’s taken a keen interest in the progression of our Futsal scholars, not only visiting them while training, but also in the classroom too. Nothing is too much trouble for Alex, he is always willing to come along and he has a positive attitude both on and off the pitch, that rubs off onto our students and drives them to continue to work hard.
“As well as that, Alex also visited the hospital in December. While a number of players could be nominated for our player of the year award, we feel that Alex edges it with the level of commitment and determination he shows towards us as a Trust and that has also been echoed by his performances for the first team.”
SUFC Trust, who are now based in the Legends Lounge of the Sands Venue Stadium, currently have two waves of Futsal scholars, with next year’s course modifying slightly in partnership with North Lindsey College and the club’s academy, giving the next wave of scholars another chance to potentially make it as a professional footballer.
For more details, click here or contact g.cooper@scunthorpe-united.co.uk or call 01724 705010.
