Eccles Rugby Club volunteer receives Citizen’s Award

An Eccles Rugby Club volunteer has received a Citizen’s Award for services to the community.  

Alan Bent, 73, began playing at the club in 1972 and since he has hung up his playing boots he has devoted his time and efforts to teaching the next generation to play every Sunday morning and Wednesday evening.  

The former scrum-half has now been coaching the minis and junior teams for 23 years. In that time, more than 500 girls and boys have moved on to play competitive rugby at higher levels.  

When Alan is not coaching, he can be found cleaning the showers and changing rooms and getting the pitches ready for the weekend fixtures.  

And if that is not enough, he is a champion of walking rugby on a Monday evening.  

To recognise Alan’s efforts, the Ceremonial Mayor of Salford, Councillor Heather Fletcher, invited Alan and his family to the Mayor’s Parlour and presented him with a Citizen’s Award.  

Councillor Heather Fletcher said: “The best thing about being the Ceremonial Mayor of this great city is that I get to meet wonderful people like Alan. 

“His devotion to the community and Eccles Rugby Club deserves to be formally recognised. It is people like Alan in our communities that make this city such a wonderful place to live.  

“Keeping young people fit and healthy, in constructive activities and teaching them all about teamwork and discipline is a key part of growing up. It will push them to future successes. So thank you Alan for all you do.”