Fixture a fitting tribute to secretary

Leek Town have hailed the volunteers who helped the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League's Blues attract more than two thousand fans to the England youth international they hosted on Friday night.

The Blues sent their thanks after a crowd of 2,132 turned out at Harrison Park to see England's U16s go down 5-1 to Spain in preparation for next year’s UEFA European U17s Championship on home soil.

The match went ahead as the EVO-STIK NPL First Division South club mourned the passing of long-serving secretary Brian Wain the day before, prompting chairman Jon Eeles to hail the efforts of their behind-the scenes staff in difficult circumstances for everybody at the club. A former Blues player in his youth, the popular and respected official passed away last Thursday while holidaying abroad with his family.

Former chairman Andy Wain helped to organise the fixture but missed the match following his father's death and Eeles, pictured, said: “On behalf of the club I would like to thank everyone for their help and support on the day. Hosting such a high profile game is difficult enough but the circumstances on the day regarding the passing of our secretary Brian Wain made it all the more difficult.

“However, everyone pulled together and there was a real sense of community around the club, a fitting tribute to Brian and Andy Wain who had put in so much hard work coming up to the game."

The Blues are getting used to successfully hosting high profile fixtures after staging a number of UEFA U17s internationals last season and hosting Stoke's development side.

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