Town's disability liaison officer Warner Duff has been named Club Employee/Volunteer for 2009 by the National Association of Disabled Supporters (NADS). Duff was given the award for "going the extra mile again and againâ€Â.
Warner was nominated by Camilla Haycock, Town's media and PR manager: "He has worked as a volunteer with Ipswich Town Football Club over the last eight years, although his passion for the Blues is a lifelong commitment.
"Despite dealing with his own disabilities, Warner provides the first line liaison between our supporters with disabilities and the club's ticket office. This includes existing and new customers, along with supporters who have a temporary need for different stadium facilities, eg due to broken limbs or debilitating illnesses.
"He helps the football club formulate its policies regarding supporters with disabilities. He plays an important 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 match day commentary for supporters with visual impairment.
"He is always available on match days, both home and away and spends much of his personal time helping the club.
"The club's Community Trust also benefits from Warner's enthusiastic support, particularly helping secure funding from the Football Foundation to help the Club launch its Ability Counts disabled football project for Suffolk.â€Â
NADS added: Warner was nominated by his colleagues at the club for going the extra mile again and again for their disabled supporters, on both match and non-match days.
"Warner is the volunteer club DLO at Ipswich Town and works hard for local disabled supporters to improve facilities and services.
"On top of his duties at the club as a DLO, he also supports various community projects and initiatives for disabled people at the club. Warner has always been active at a national level and we want to thank him for his ongoing commitment to equality for disabled supporters.â€Â