Mustafa el-Bayati has been recognised by Northampton Town Football Club and presented with the national 'Unsung Hero' Award by the New Football Pools and the Football League Trust for his work at the club.

Mustafa attended the ceremony at the National Football League Conference with his mother and collected his award from 1966 World Cup heroes Gordon Banks and Roger Hunt.

Every Player Counts, a leading project of the Football League Trust and supported by the New Football Pools, is delivering a three-year, PAN-Disability scheme to develop football opportunities for people with all types of disability in the area.

To recognise the efforts of the scheme locally the New Football Pools, in association with the Football League Trust, launched a 'Player of the Year Award' to recognise excellence in the game and commitment to the programme and an 'Unsung Hero' award to be made to one of the project's support team whose great work, energy and commitment to the scheme makes a huge difference to those involved.

Mustafa has been involved with Northampton Town's Multi Disabled club for twenty years and Mustafa and his family have raised a substantial amount of money over the years, in the forms of sponsored walks, raffles and curry nights.

He is very dedicated to his role of assistant manager with the Championship team and attends all training and festivals throughout the year.

Northampton is one of 38 Football League Community Schemes to deliver Every Player Counts, the first National PAN-Disability programme, this season.

Jon Sheehy, Marketing Director at the New Football Pools said: "The nominations for these awards are inspiring. This programme really demonstrates the power of football and how sport can provide a real driving force for change.

"This really stems from our core heritage as a football business committed to supporting local and national initiatives within the club's community. Creating opportunities and pathways for players of all abilities is a central theme of the Every Player Counts scheme and we hope recognition through these awards will add to the individual's motivation and success."