Congratulations to Bury Relics Vice President and player Pat Fitzgerald who will be carrying the Commonwealth Games Queens Baton around Bolton on Saturday 16th July 2022.
Pat’s route starts at 18:39 from 96 Great Moor Street, Bolton BL3 6DS. His segment finishes at 7274 Ashburner Street, Bolton BL1 1TD.
Please turn out and support Pat on his journey.
Pat’s commitment to his local community, charities and The Relics was captured by fellow Relic Iain Dawson in his nomination summarised below.
Pat Fitzgerald is Vice President of Bury Relics Walking Football Club but he is so much more than that.
Bury Relics were formed in 2017, They now field four teams in the Greater Manchester Walking Football League.
They also organise and provide community-based walking football on a weekly basis, open to anyone over 50 years old, irrespective of ability or gender and including people with learning difficulties, physical constraints and health issues. The wellbeing benefits to society are evident in the important and enthusiastic support Bury Relics receive from parties such as Bury Council, The Football Foundation and local healthcare providers (their main sponsor is a major GP practice in the area).
Pat is absolutely central to the ethos of the Relics and to everything they do. He is a coach, a kit man, a referee, a “groundsman” (he recently arrived early for training specifically to shovel snow off the pitch), an organiser, a provider of post-match refreshments, sage advice and compassion. (Illness and loss are unfortunate recurring themes amongst our membership). He is the first to welcome any newcomers. He also plays but always waits to see what positions need filling rather than making his own choice.
Prior to the Relics he has managed various local teams and been secretary of a local league, receiving a long service award from the FA.
In the last 20 years he has also developed a passion for hockey which has led to him becoming a qualified umpire, the Chairman of the Bolton Sports Federation Hockey section and (with his wife, Mandy) joint coach of Bury Youth hockey teams for both girls and boys. He is currently campaigning hard for a hockey pitch to be built in the Bury area, which would be a fitting legacy.
He has been actively engaged in projects to raise over £1m for the Army Benevolent Fund and local charities. This led to him receiving a written commendation from the Army. In other volunteering, he provides maintenance services for his local church and a transport service for people who need help getting to it or for attending to hospital appointments.
In short, he is a man of remarkable energy whose motivation in life is to help and encourage others. He is a huge asset to any sporting or community group and makes a genuine difference to them all. If he carries the baton this summer, he will see it not as a personal tribute but as a tribute to all those that he supports. He is a great sport and a great sportsman – our champion companion!
Bury Relics 