Thousands of people flocked to Accrington town centre to enjoy Hyndburn’s International Football Celebration, with the winners of the event’s fantastic prize draw now officially announced.
The three-week celebration transformed the town centre into a football festival, bringing together families and football fans for three Saturdays packed with free activities, entertainment and giveaways.
Visitors enjoyed everything from football challenges, a crossbar challenge, Esports, face painting and hair braiding to coaching sessions with Accrington Stanley star Shaun Whalley and former Scotland international goalkeeper Matt Gilks. There were also meet and greets with Accrington Stanley and Accrington Stanley Women players, alongside a 5-a-side football tournament on Broadway.
One of the biggest highlights was the popular International Flag Trail around Accrington Market, which generated more than 1,200 visits to market stalls as families explored the town centre in search of flags from around the world.
Football fever was in full swing throughout the event, with over 1,000 free giveaways including bucket hats, 40 replica footballs, football horns, flyaway footballs and ice creams helping to create a fantastic atmosphere.
The celebrations also included a free prize draw, with some incredible prizes up for grabs. Theo Woodhouse won a brand-new PlayStation 5, Declan Knight took home a 50-inch television, Ezra Brindle won a copy of EA Sports FC 26 and Ava Mae Koman was the lucky winner of a replica England shirt.
Alongside the family fun, the events also gave residents the opportunity to share their views on the future of Accrington town centre through Pride in Place consultations, helping to shape how future investment will be delivered. Over 500 surveys were completed, and the findings will be shared in the coming weeks.
Anyone who did not get the chance to take part can still complete the online survey by visiting: https://www.rdf.agency/hyndburn-feedback/
Sami Smithson, Chair of the Accrington Neighbourhoods Board, said: “These events are a great example of what can be achieved when organisations work together with a shared ambition. The partnership between the Accrington Pride in Place Board and Hyndburn Borough Council has been outstanding, helping to deliver three fantastic events that brought thousands of people into the town centre. It was wonderful to see such a diverse mix of people enjoying the celebrations together.”
Andy Parkin, Deputy Chair of the Accrington Neighbourhoods Board, said: “It has been fantastic to see so many people coming into Accrington town centre over the three Saturdays and enjoying everything the International Football Celebration had to offer. The atmosphere throughout the events was brilliant, with families, football fans and visitors of all ages getting involved in the activities.
“I’d like to congratulate all of our prize draw winners and thank everyone who attended and helped make the events such a success. It was wonderful to see the town centre buzzing and to hear so many positive comments from people enjoying their day.”
Cllr Munsif Dad, Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council, said: “These events have been a huge success for Accrington town centre. It was fantastic to see so many people supporting our businesses, visiting Accrington Market and enjoying everything that was on offer.
“Events like these showcase what makes Accrington such a vibrant place and demonstrate the importance of creating opportunities for people to spend time in the town centre while also giving us valuable feedback, from both adults and children, on its future.”
The events are part of the Pride in Place project which will invest £20m into Accrington town centre, run by the Accrington Pride in Place board in partnership with Hyndburn Borough Council and funded by the UK Government.
