THE season did not go the way that everyone had hoped at the start, but that didn’t stop supporters from looking forward to the club’s annual presentation nights before signing off for the summer.

After all, in this day and age there aren’t many opportunities for fans to rub shoulders with their favourite players at any other time of year.

Player of the Year Kieran Trippier and Players’ Player of the Year Jay Rodriguez were selected as the stars of Burnley’s campaign. There was recognition too for the stars of the club’s future, with Under 18s captain Alex Coleman collecting the Young Player of the Year prize, while youth team coach Terry Pashley was acknowledged for his part in youth development over the last two decades with the Outstanding Achievement Award.

But it was a night for the club’s unsung heroes to have their moment in the spotlight too, and few could be more deserving than catering queen Daisy Daniel.

The name may be unfamiliar to many. But to the players, management and backroom staff, her cheery welcome at Gawthorpe is as much a part of their daily routine as lacing up their boots; as much part of fostering team spirit as dressing room banter.

Press days would not be the same without Daisy lighting up the early starts with her bright smile – not to mention a plateful of sausage sandwiches for ravenous reporters and flasks full of coffee!

Just the other week, having kept everyone at Gawthorpe fed and watered from around 8am one morning, she was still grafting away at Turf Moor more than 12 hours later, at the club’s ‘Race Night with a Difference’, which was organised to raise funds for Gary Parkinson.

Players’ families benefit from her hospitality on matchdays too, and have done for the last seven years.

Nothing is too much trouble, which is why Eddie Howe, his staff and players, wanted to show their appreciation of her day-to-day efforts with an addition to the running order of awards night, as the manager presented Daisy with a big bouquet of flowers.

Daisy is not alone in her commitment to the club, though.

There are plenty of other people behind the scenes who go above and beyond the call of duty for the good of the club, because they love the club.

They are the fabric of the club, which is why Burnley has retained a strong family feel, while others have lost touch with their roots.