Emotional Wendy-Humphrey collects Rose Paterson Community Sportswoman Award for 2026

Aintree Racecourse today presented Wendy Humphrey-Taylor with the trophy for the Rose Paterson Community Sportswoman Award in 2026.

Launched by the racecourse in partnership with BBC Radio Merseyside at the 2021 Randox Grand National Festival, the award remembers Aintree’s late Chair Rose Paterson, who sadly passed away in 2020. Its aim is to recognise on an annual basis a female from Merseyside who is making a difference to grassroots community sport, either through participation or support. This year’s nominations were judged by Rose’s daughter Evie and ITV Racing presenter Alice Plunkett.

Wendy, who was nominated by the LFC Foundation, has been a dedicated figure in supporting refugees and asylum seekers across Merseyside using the opportunities offered by football. She has volunteered at Asylum Link as a Volunteer Football Coordinator for over 15 years and her unwavering commitment has created a more inclusive, connected, and welcoming community for those who are often the most marginalised in society.

On collecting the award, an emotional Wendy Humphrey-Taylor said: “I’m truly honoured.

“This is on behalf of the thousands of people on Merseyside. What the football charities do is outstanding. They do so much for so many. I’m over the moon. They are our heroes. Behind the scenes the charities work without thanks, feeding, clothing and looking after people who have less.

“It brings people up. It does things for them that nobody else wants to do. The likes of you and I have got those extra clothes and shoes that people need. It gives them a welcome, it teaches them English. It helps them integrate into our world.

“We have helped so many people, including now a lawyer, a radiographer, and a referee for example. They go on and they work hard – in the factories, in the warehouses and so on. I’m so very proud of them, and they keep in touch. Wherever they go they get in touch and ask if there’s any football there, and yes there will be.

“There will be a football club wherever they go, and they’ll say ‘send them to us’. We put these young lads in touch with clubs wherever they go. I’m just a co-ordinator.

“There’s always a need around the world with what’s going on. There are always people who have to escape because they spoke out against the regimes and against the people who are attacking them and their families. When they escape to somewhere safe, we try to help them and welcome them.

“A hug for a person who needs a hug is worth a million, million stars, because nobody gives them a hug.”