Jude Townsend

Purple Heart Award for recognising great sportsmanship and acts of kindness.

Jude would never have imagined that his one act of kindness at the weekend could prove to be so powerful and enabled so many positive outcomes.

The feedback has been huge from people feeling happy to read such a positive heartwarming story (many peeling onions at the time!) ,other managers now recognising their players in a similar way and the club now producing an award available to all of our players moving forward which may spread to other clubs as well. The post has had nearly 10000 views.

This wonderful act of kindness and sportsmanship reminds us that grassroots sport can be so powerful for so many reasons. Whilst there are always negative stories there are a lot more hugely positive ones which sadly we don't highlight enough. If we have a great story we should tell it !

On the back of Jude's fantastic sportsmanship and kindness the club has now created the Purple Heart Award for recognising great sportsmanship and acts of kindness by our young players. The photo of Jude and the goalkeeper will be the badge on the trophy.

Jude will obviously be the first ever recipient of the new award.

Our team managers can nominate to the club a player to be presented with a Purple Heart Award. The bar has been set very high!

Jude has truly been an inspiration to literally thousands of people in the last 48 hours and spread a huge amount of love and happiness.

Again, a huge well done to Jude.

Thank you

#upthepurps