Friday 2nd May is a date now firmly fixed in my head as one of the most amazing days of my life.
Not that there was anything remarkable about the day itself. I’d had another busy day in the office at The Valley ahead of our final match of the season against Burton Albion on Saturday 3rd and of course we had known for a good couple of weeks that we would be taking part in the League One Play-Offs later in the month. No, in footballing terms it had been a normal pre-game Friday.
However, this all changed when I got home and was met by my wife Helen holding an official looking ‘On His Majesty’s Service’ envelope addressed to me, marked ‘URGENT + PERSONAL above my name and address and ‘CABINET OFFICE’ below.
As I opened the letter with Helen close by my side, I read the words that I never, ever expected to read…’you are to be recommended to His Majesty The King for the honour of Officer of the British Empire (OBE). It went on to say that the ‘citation for the award would read: Commercial Manager, Charlton Athletic Football Club. For services to Sport.’
I must admit I was shocked and couldn’t take it in at first. I read it again, and then again just to confirm to myself that I had read it correctly; but I had, I had been recommended to His Majesty for an OBE. I’m not ashamed or embarrassed to admit that I had tears in my eyes when I completed the form confirming my approval that this was indeed ‘acceptable to me’ as they so politely put it.
Obviously, my natural instinct was to tell all my family and close friends, but of course that isn’t possible as you are sworn to secrecy until the Birthday Honours List is published on the 14th June in the London Gazette, the Government’s ‘paper of record’. Keeping this a secret for well over a month has been challenging to say the least and I must admit to giving myself a pat on the back for coming through the whole Play-Off period including the Wembley Final and one, or two, family gatherings without saying a word to anyone! In fact, I made a conscious effort to put the matter out of my mind, and I believe I succeeded. So much so that one morning I woke up convinced it had all been a dream—until a quick look at my official letter confirmed it hadn’t been!
My dear friend and former colleague at The Football League, the late Jack Taylor, the first Englishman to referee a World Cup Final (1974 Netherlands v West Germany), always said of his OBE that it stood for ‘Other Buggers’ Efforts’. Now I know what he meant. So many people have played a huge part in making my career in football and in sports charities what it is, and I’ll be paying tribute to them all in my next article.
For a boy from Plumstead who was obsessed with playing football on Winn Common and watching my Charlton Athletic heroes week in week out from the vast East Terrace at The Valley, to receiving an honour from His Majesty the King – taking in a 15 year career at The Midland Bank and a 37 year career in football on the way – it has been quite a journey. But I wouldn’t have changed a day of it.
It could take up to 6 months before I formally receive my award but it’s a day Helen and I are very much looking forward to…but I’ll still check the Gazette on Saturday 14th to confirm it’s really happening!
