TURTON stalwart Ernie Charnock has been honoured by the West Lancashire League for his 50 years of service to the football club.

The popular fixtures secretary, who started his half-century at the club as a player, was given a standing ovation at Blackpool FC’s Bloomfield Road stadium at the end of a night to honour the league’s divisional winners.

Charnock was part of a delegation from Turton, who won the First Division title last season, but was unaware he would be receiving the special award.

“I think Ernie was overwhelmed by the reception,” said Turton chairman Peter Gray. “Football has lots of petty rivalries between clubs but it was telling that every member of the crowd, to a man, took to their feet to show their respect.”

Charnock has done almost every job imaginable at Turton since hanging up his boots, barring chairman and groundsman, and was instrumental in keeping them from being wound up.

Gray put his devotion to the club into context on the night in an emotional address.

“Ernie is a true one-club man,” he said.

“As he began playing for Turton FC as a young man I’m sure he didn’t foresee himself still being with the club in his seventies.

“Ernie has played, coached, been caretaker manager, as well as acted like a parent to the players. He fulfilled various committee roles, fundraised and like all grassroots volunteers gave up countless hours doing menial tasks that people just assume happen. Who knows how many kits Ernie has washed over the years?

“In an age where these young players are lazier and more expectant than ever it can be a culture shock to Ernie, who many a time rolls his eyes at the lads.

“But it is testament to how highly respected Ernie is that he is the first person the lads look to for approval after a game.

“He is a hugely respected figure, not only within the football club but also the village.

“Ernie is simply Mr Turton FC.

“His legacy will be a long one, but the moment he should be most proud of is when he single-handedly stopped the club going out of existence.

“The team had been relegated, the players had all gone and there was no money in the pot.

“An EGM was called to effectively wind up the club, but Ernie was having none of it and went out and assembled a new team of people.

“This has culminated in, fittingly, as Ernie enters his 50th season, the club re-entering the Premier Division. They don’t make them like Ernie any more.”