Lancashire Coach of the Year
Accrington Swimming Club's chief coach Chris McKean admitted he was 'shocked' after being crowned Lancashire Coach of the Year at Ewood Park last Friday.
Chris had won the Hyndburn award in July and had a hard act to follow as he went for the county prize at Blackburn Rovers FC.
In the last two years Hyndburn Athletic Club's Norman Mitchell and Accrington rugby league coach Anthony 'Axel' Foley have won Hyndburn awards and gone on to clinch the Lancashire ones - so Chris was looking to make it a hat trick ... and succeeded.
'I was shocked,' admitted the 37-year-old window cleaner, who has been involved with the club for 10 years.
'It was up against football, athletics and other swimming coaches and I never expected to get it.
I was still sat down with 10 others from the swimming club and when my name was announced, I just sat there stunned and the rest of the table were telling me to go up and collect it!
It was a good achievement for me but I was more pleased for the club and the town, and especially Ted Watson who has been at the club for around 55 years and got me involved.
I just felt humble as there were a lot of really good coaches up for the awards. I was just lucky'
Chris, who was nominated for the Hyndburn award by parents and children from the club, got involved with the swimming club 10 years ago because he had 'time on his hands.'.
'Soon after I got there, the club was in debt and was on the brink of going under.
But now we have built it back up. We have got money in the bank, we are going to treat the kids at Christmas and we are competing strongly again. We have 159 members and are full although we will never turn anyone away
The emphasis is on enjoyment, the children should always have a smile on their face, but we are now starting to see children come through.'
Chris, who coaches two nights a week on Mondays and Wednesdays as well as twice on Saturdays, has gone on various coaching courses and has now got high hopes for the club.
'We have one boy, Christian Brown, in the East Lancashire Gallica squad, we have 10-years-olds who have got the national qualifying times but can't compete yet because they need to be 11 and our team finished second to Burnley in the Friendly League - and beat Todmorden in a gala this week.
But it is not all about competition, we have ladies and men who come as well to keep fit as well as swimmers from all ethnic backgrounds.
We want a friendly club with a good atmosphere and that is what we have got.'
Chris, who has also taken swimming teams to the Lancashire Youth Games and has come back with gold, silver and bronze medals, has now set higher targets for Accrington SC.
'When I joined I just wanted to get the club on an even keel and start to do well. We have done that and now I want to see the swimmers get better and better, perhaps get promotion and just keep improving.'
Assistant Sports Development Officer George Cull said: 'For Hyndburn to win the Lancashire Coach of the Year for three years running, is a testament to the drive and determination of the local people who give their time freely to help young people take part in sport.
'Chris has been an outstanding ambassador for swimming and has helped to save a club that was on the verge of folding and turn it into a club that has plenty of volunteers and a thriving junior membership.