Wayne Hurst has been named as the Oldham Athletic Community Captain in recognition of the dedication and commitment to volunteering at the football club.
Wayne, more commonly known as Chaddy The Owl, has provided memorable moments to thousands of fans since his first matchday in 2004 with a generation of Latics fans growing up with Wayne as Chaddy The Owl as a key part of an Oldham Athletic matchday.
On being named as Community Captain, Wayne commented: “Without a doubt the best part is the look on kids faces when I come strolling over to them. You know instantly if a child is happy to see you or petrified, or just inquisitive.
Young children don’t go to football to watch the game, they go to see Chaddy running around and being silly, so when I walk over their faces light up, and nothing had ever come close to that feeling for me.”
Martin Vose, OACT Head of Community, added: “Chaddy The Owl is a huge part of Oldham Athletic, whether that be on a matchday or at events throughout the week.
The effort and dedication that Wayne puts into each and ever appearance is incredible, across the years he must have created thousands of amazing memories – he is very much deserving of the Oldham Athletic Community Captain accolade.”
The Community Captain accolade is being given to more than 100 members of the public who have made an outstanding contribution to their club and local community, as part of the Premier League’s 30th anniversary celebrations.
Presentations to the Captains form part of the Premier League Trophy Tour, which sees the Premier League visit more than 50 professional, non-league and women’s clubs across England and Wales who receive funding from the organisation.
Across England and Wales, Premier League investment supports the community organisations of all 92 Premier League and English Football League clubs, plus the 68 National League clubs. Over the next three years, the League will continue its world-leading levels of support by contributing £1.6 billion to communities and the wider game
