Harry Burgoyne has been named Professional Footballers’ Association Community Champion for the 2023/24 season.
The goalkeeper has been given the honour for the outstanding work he has done with the Her Game Too (HGT) movement and the Shrewsbury Town Foundation.
Back in March 2023, Harry became Shrewsbury Town's first-ever player advocate for the Her Game Too campaign.
Since then he has done everything he can to raise awareness of women's football and promote inclusion in the game.
The PFA Community Champion Award aims to recognise players who throw themselves into community projects.
Harry, who was born in Ludlow, said: "This is a proud moment for me, it is really special to be given this award.
“I’ve been the PFA representative for the lads in the changing room – that has been an honour for the last few seasons.
“So for them to now recognise the work I’ve done in the community, that is amazing because I haven’t done what I’ve done to get awards or recognition.
“I do it because this is my community, it’s my daughter’s community, so the more I can do to raise awareness of women’s football and women’s sport – I am more than happy to do that.
“I want my daughter to have the same opportunities I've had in my life.
“I just can’t get my head around why women still don’t get the same opportunities as men – both in football and life in general.
“It’s a problem that is getting tackled but it needs to be tackled a lot quicker.
“What really hits home for me - when you look at my upbringing - I went on trial at an academy, got signed and I had my football paid for.
“Then at 16/17 years old, I was starting to get paid to play.
“But my daughter, if the game is in the same place it is now, she won’t have the same opportunity.
“We need to do so much more to change things for the better. We are moving in the right direction but there is still a lot of work to be done.”
Everyone at Shrewsbury Town would like to say a huge thank you to Harry for all the work he has done in the local community and with the foundation.
We wish him and his family the very best of luck for the future.
