Reds Scoop Community Award

Ian Ayre last night collected a prestigious Football Is More Role Model award on behalf of Liverpool's community department manager Bill Bygroves.

The Reds scooped the accolade in the Social Department of a Professional Club category in recognition of the outstanding work being done by the club's community team.

And with Bygroves unable to attend the gala in Bad Ragaz, Switzerland due to a prior engagement, Ayre was on hand to accept it for him.

Afterwards, the Reds' Managing Director told Liverpoolfc.tv: "It's fantastic that our club has been recognized as a role model for its community department.

"I think it can be one of those things that don’t get recognized enough - but we certainly recognize them and it's fantastic that somebody else has.

"I feel a bit of a fraud accepting the award somewhat as it should have been Bill! But as I said in the speech, the reason he's not here is because he had another commitment and that's very typical of Bill - he never wants to let anyone down and once he commits to something he sees it through.

"He's a very special individual and member of our team. For somebody who gives so much and takes so little, he is an absolute role model to Liverpool Football Club and a great ambassador for everything that we are."

The Football Is More Role Model awards acknowledge outstanding contributions to local communities and beyond by all clubs in world football.

Ayre added: "I was very proud to be at the Football Is More international forum and see that even throughout the day when they were showcasing different projects and initiatives the guys from some of our teams and community department figuring very heavily in some of the videos and talks.

"That's got to be great for Liverpool Football Club. The community department does so much around the world and it's fantastic that they've been recognized today.

"It's vital the club sets the right example and hopefully in the speech I gave today I showcased the fact that role models aren't just about famous players or managers, or who pulls on the shirt - it's about everybody who comes to work at Liverpool.

"Everyone has the chance to be a role model and it's about setting the right examples. It's about following the 'Liverpool Way' and doing the right things for people and our football club.

"We are blessed that we have so many people who are role models, right through to the guys in some of our teams and the staff. It makes me very proud as the Managing Director to see we have so many."