Vic Akers 'honoured' to be awarded OBE

By Nick Teale
 
Former Arsenal Ladies manager Vic Akers has described being awarded an OBE as 'a major honour'.
 
The 63-year-old has been named on the Queen's New Year's Honours list after stepping down as Ladies manager at the end of last season. During his 22 years at the helm the team collected a staggering 32 trophies and became one of Europe's most successful sides.
 
The founding father of Arsenal Ladies remains involved with the team as General Manager and is also the Gunners first-team kit manager.
 
Speaking exclusively to Arsenal.com, Akers described his delighted at receiving the OBE.
 
"I'm very honoured to have that bestowed upon me," he said.
 
"I had an inkling about it two months ago when I received a letter saying that it may happen and asking if I would be willing to accept. My family have always been supporters of the Royal Family so it's a major honour for me to receive any award from them."
 
Not only was Akers in charge of Arsenal Ladies for 22 years, but he was also a key player in the inception of a women's team at the Club.
 
"We founded the Ladies when I was involved in the community side of the Club in 1985," he explained.
 
"I took the idea to David Dein who was vice-chairman then. I put the idea to him and he put it to the Board and we came out with a team of Arsenal ladies.
 
"From there everything went from good to good and we've carried on throughout the years and become one of the best teams in Europe.
 
"If was very difficult early doors and we started with one side and developed very quickly in to two and three teams. To be fair I've always had good staff around me."
 
And Akers also sent his thanks to all those who have been involved with the successful Arsenal Ladies since they were established 22 years ago.
 
"There are many people involved in this award coming about," he said.  "None more so than all the girls that have played for the Club since day one in 1987 right the way through to the present day.
 
"It was always going to be professional as it could possibly be ,although we were all amateurs, and that's the way we developed the Club and that's why people have enjoyed playing for us."

[Wednesday, December 30, 2009]

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