A FORMER Accrington Stanley ballboy returned from serving in Afghanistan to a welcome home surprise in the form of a share in the club presented by Carl Fogarty.

Signalman Ryan Ormerod, 19, from the 16th Signal Regiment, based in Germany, attended Stanley’s game against Wycombe Wanderers with his family after returning home this month.

As well as being made a shareholder by his family, the club presented him with two free hospitality tickets to a future game of his choice after being sent a picture of Ryan posing with his Stanley scarf out in Afghanistan. Lifelong fan Ryan was a ball boy for the club for several years before joining the armed forces.

He said: “What an amazing day. It was genuinely a huge surprise, and a great welcome home.”

ASFC managing director Rob Heys said: “We all remember Ryan from his days attending the games.”

To buy a share in Stanley visit www.accringtonstanley. co.uk