From ballboy to board sponsor... local lad David Williams returns to Accrington Stanley with Accrin Mortgages

A lifelong supporter of Accrington Stanley has reached a proud milestone after his business, Accrin Mortgages, became an official board sponsor at the Wham Stadium.

David Williams, who grew up in Accrington and has supported Stanley since the age of three, once served as a ballboy at the club. Today, more than two decades later, his company branding now proudly lights up the very ground where his love of football began.

One of David’s earliest and most vivid memories came on Sunday 9th November 2003, when he was a ballboy for the club’s clash with Huddersfield Town.

The match, broadcast live on BBC, ended in dramatic fashion as Andy Gouck fired home a stunning injury-time winner to seal a famous 1-0 victory. For a young supporter on the sidelines, it was a moment that cemented a lifelong bond with the club.

Over the years, David became a dedicated season ticket holder, following Accrington Stanley through some of the most memorable moments in their modern history.

He fondly recalls Billy Kee’s crucial goal against Luton Town during the promotion season, as well as being among the home crowd in 2016 when Matty Pearson scored a last-minute extra-time winner to knock Burnley out of the EFL Cup, the first competitive meeting between the Lancashire neighbours since 1893. Now, his connection to the club has entered a new chapter.

Accrin Mortgages, part of Pia Financial Services, provides expert mortgage, protection and insurance advice. The firm offers a comprehensive range of services including residential, buy-to-let and first-time buyer mortgages, as well as commercial and bridging loans. In addition, the company supports clients with tailored protection solutions such as health insurance, income protection and life insurance, delivering a personalised one-to-one service.

While Accrin Mortgages is a relatively new name in the market, David brings more than a decade of financial services experience to the business. He previously worked for HSBC in a variety of specialist roles, including within its private banking division, Expat services and mortgage product teams, building extensive expertise across the sector.

David said: “Coming from Accrington, I have always had a love for the team and the club. I have been coming here since I was a little boy and being part of the club, whether as a ballboy or a season ticket holder, it's been a lifelong dream to be able to support the club and being able to have my company in lights here is equally brilliant.”

Jodie Hargreaves, commercial manager at Accrington Stanley, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Accrin Mortgages as a board sponsor. David’s story is a fantastic one and perfectly sums up what this football club is all about. To go from being a ballboy here to becoming a sponsor is an incredible journey, and it shows the strength of the connection between the club and our local community. It’s a real pleasure to have Accrin Mortgages on board and we’re proud to support a business with such genuine ties to Accrington Stanley.”

David, who has lived in Accrington all his life, says supporting the club in a new capacity is both a personal milestone and a proud moment for his growing business. His journey from the sidelines as a young fan to a commercial partner reflects not only professional success, but a deep-rooted commitment to the town and its football club.

For more information about Accrin Mortgages and its services, visit www.accrinmortgages.co.uk