At Bury FC, our volunteers are the heartbeat of the club; their time, dedication and passion help keep everything running smoothly both on and off the pitch. With over 200 incredible individuals giving up their time to support the club, we want to show our appreciation and give something back. To celebrate their efforts, we’re introducing a new Volunteer Reward Scheme.
Each week, one volunteer will be selected at random to receive a Certificate of Appreciation, recognising their contribution and commitment to Bury FC.
Casey Lynchey, Head of Operations, said, “It’s a simple gesture, but it means a lot – a small way to give a big ‘thank you’ to the incredible volunteers who make such a huge difference to our club and the wider community. Week after week, our volunteers give up their own time to help with everything from matchday operations and community projects to maintaining the ground and supporting our teams. Their passion and commitment are at the heart of what makes Bury FC so special, and this reward scheme is our way of recognising just how valued they truly are. We want every volunteer to know that their efforts don’t go unnoticed and that they are an essential part of the Bury FC family.”
Our first volunteer winner is Nick O’Brien who is the assistant manager of our U12B boys team and occasional coach with our Baby Ballers.
We spoke to Rhys the U12s manager who had this to say about Nick, “I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Nick at Bury FC, and I can honestly say his dedication to the U12s team is nothing short of inspiring. As a volunteer coach, he gives his time freely, but you’d think it was his full-time job with the amount of effort and passion he puts into everything he does. What many people don’t see is the incredible work he does behind the scenes. Planning training sessions, analysing matches, communicating with parents, and making sure every player feels valued and supported. He’s constantly looking for ways to help the kids develop not only as footballers but also as people.”
Nick added, “His enthusiasm is infectious, and his commitment to creating a positive, disciplined, and fun environment for the players sets a brilliant example for everyone at the club. Whether it’s turning up early to set up cones and goals in the rain, staying late to tidy up, or spending his evenings researching new drills and coaching methods, Nick always goes the extra mile. He genuinely cares about every player’s progress and takes pride in seeing them grow in confidence and ability. Bury FC and the under 12’s team are lucky to have someone with his level of commitment and heart. He embodies what grassroots football is all about, passion, teamwork, and a genuine love for helping young players thrive.”