STAR striker Danny Ings has been rewarded for his off-field charity work inspired by a young Clarets fan.

Burnley FC’s number 10 Ings has been recognised by Premier League title sponsor Barclays for his Danny Ings Disability Project with a Spirit of the Game Award.

Barclays said it wished to shine a light on the people who champion the true spirit of the game.

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Ings was given the award fresh from a scintillating and tireless performance against champions Manchester City on Sunday which saw the Clarets battle to a 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium.

The Clarets striker, who launched the project in November, showed tremendous generosity by funding it himself and will help to deliver football coaching to disabled youngsters and to children with learning difficulties throughout Lancashire.

In conjunction with Burnley FC in the Community, the aim is also to set up a disabled football team and, subsequently, widen the programme. Ings was inspired to get involved after he gave his boots to wheelchair user Joseph Skinner after the final game of 2013.

Joseph, who was 13 at the time and is a season-ticket holder at Turf Moor, said Ings’ gesture made it the best day of his life. A photograph of the moment went viral shortly afterwards.

Ings said: “It’s great to be recognised in this way but for me it’s all about helping the children who haven’t had the opportunities I’ve had. I’ve made it clear before that I want them to part of my journey and the project gives me that chance.

“Sometimes people don’t get to see that footballers genuinely do care but there are some fantastic examples out there. Hopefully, this award can help highlight that because seeing the smile on Joe’s face, the boy who inspired it, was worth more to me than money ever could.”

Neil Hart, head of Burnley FC in the Community, added: “Danny came to us in the summer wanting to do something positive and give something back. He wanted to do something involving disabled youngsters and those with learning difficulties, so we created programme in consultation with him. We wouldn’t be able to do that without Danny investing in this programme. He is funding the whole thing from the outset and we have also had a charitable donation from Burnley-based business Capll Ltd, which will help the project’s longevity.”