Well, a fan does, anyway. Ipswich Town supporter, Warner Duff has won the EA SPORTS Fan of the Year Award at the 2009 Football League Awards incorporating FourFourTwo¿s Top 50 Football League Players.
Warner received the award at a gala dinner at Grosvenor House, Park Lane on Sunday evening in front of more than 800 attendees from clubs, sponsors and the football industry.
Run in conjunction with BBC Radio 5 Live, nominations for this Award were invited from fans of all Football League clubs. Warner was nominated by his club's manager Jim Magilton who said "Warner epitomises everything that is so good about a football club. His is the disabled liaison officer, but more than that, he is a friend of the players, and he's been a fan for quite a number of years.
"He's very deserving of this award, I couldn't think of anybody that deserves it more."
Warner has worked as a volunteer with the club for the last eight years. He provides the first line liaison between supporters with disabilities and the Club's ticket office. Warner works with the National Association of Disabled Supporters (NADS) by helping the Club to formulate its policies regarding supporters and disabilities. He plays a vital role in the adoption of new procedures and facilities and has recently been the driving force behind the RNIB's Soccer Sight project, providing specialist matchday commentary for supporters with visual impairment. Available for both home and away matches, he spends much of his personal time helping the club.
The Fan of the Year judging panel commented: "Warner is a lifelong fan, whose selfless commitment and support has seen him not only overcome his own personal disabilities but dedicate himself to helping other Ipswich supporters in similar situations, improve their matchday experience. The judging panel feels Warner is a truly deserved winner of the EA Sports Fan of the Year title."
Warner himself was naturally delighted to be the "chosen one".
"I was nominated by our manager, Jim Magilton, and that was brilliant so I was already a winner. But I've been an Ipswich fan since 1974 and this award is amazing, not just for me but for all disabled supporters. Facilities at grounds have improved beyond recognition over the last five or six years, and although there's still more to do I think that great progress is being made."
Congratulations all round to Warner for ensuring that Ipswich win something this year!
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