DANNY'S NEW LEASE OF LIFE

DANNY Stuttard has fulfilled childhood dreams and turned his life around by lending his time to Clitheroe FC.

- Milly McEvoy

The 57-year-old was struggling with depression when he answered a call for volunteers to assist on matchdays at the EcoGiants Stadium.

Stuttard was reluctant to help at first but now credits the club, and the community around it, for helping him get back on his feet.

“I got involved five years ago when my partner saw a post on Facebook,” he told.

“At that particular time in my life, I had really bad depression and I needed a purpose

“I went begrudgingly and started doing stewarding on matchdays, but the chair and her husband left within seven months, and I ended up picking up a few roles.

“I asked if I could help doing the pitch because as a kid, I always wanted to put the stripes on football pitches.

“I remember watching the FA Cup final when I was kid and looking at the Wembley pitch and thinking ‘Oh my god’.