Head of Education at Reds in the Community and Barnsley FC, Mark Crossfield said: ‘After getting to know Conor and his background it was brilliant to discover that he had completed a degree whilst being a professional football player and is currently studying a masters. It became apparent that he was the perfect fit to become our Education Ambassador. He is a real role model and has said yes to everything we have asked of him. I believe that this has helped him especially with his injury at the moment giving him something else to get involved with and focus on. This award is 100% deserved and we hope to continue working with Conor going forward.’ 

When asked about the role and award Conor added: ‘We had a press day just before the start of the season and Reds in the Community asked if we wanted to volunteer. ‘There were different avenues to go down – visiting hospitals and charity work. I have a background of education and put that down, not knowing what would come out of it.  

A few months later Mark came up to me and said if I’d be interested in helping (young players) and I said I’d be more than happy to help. My first port of call was to do a Q&A with the students at Reds in the Community who deliver a course that combines education and football and I’m speaking from experience at the moment with my injury that education is extremely important and if football was to be taken away, I would have education to fall back on. 

I’m absolutely delighted about receiving this award I was doing the role to give back and winning the award is the cherry on top of the cake. I’m really happy.  

All at Reds in the Community send a final well done and thankyou to Conor for his work this season and hope that to continue working with him going forward.