Tonight, Manchester FA announced the introduction of a new annual award in recognition of the late Bernard Halford. 

The news was shared with attendees at Manchester FA’s 19th Annual General Meeting at Curzon Ashton FC, including club Chairs, secretaries and representatives from across grassroots football clubs in Greater Manchester. 

Bernard, who passed away aged 77 in March of this year, held the role of club secretary at many levels of the game and was passionate about driving positive change within grassroots football. In recognition of this, the accolade will be awarded each season to Manchester FA’s ‘Club Secretary of the Year’. 

Colin Bridgford, CEO at Manchester FA, explained: “Bernard was an incredible servant to football at all levels in the area and we wanted to recognise his commitment by naming a new, special award after him. We felt it was the perfect time to share this news as we reflected on a fantastic season of football at our AGM this evening and it is very pleasing to see such a positive response from all those in attendance tonight, some of who were personal friends of Bernard.”

Bernard was a key member of the football community, including a number of roles at Oldham Athletic FC and Manchester City FC, and served as Manchester FA’s Representative to The FA for 11 years from 2005-16. More information on Bernard’s career and legacy, can be found here.

Nominations for the ‘Bernard Halford Club Secretary of the Year’ award will be open at the end of each season, with an appointed panel of Bernard’s friends and colleagues at Manchester FA shortlisting nominees and choosing an overall winner.

The inaugural award will be presented at Manchester FA’s 2020 AGM and announced across Manchester FA’s social media channels and website.