Tony Carr MBE will be honoured tonight with a life time achievement award at the Willow foundation London Football Legends Awards 2014 at the Grange Tower Bridge Hotel, London.
Born in Bow, Tony started his career as an apprentice at the club in 1966 cleaning Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst’s boots. He went on to become a professional footballer in 1969 but never rose above the West Ham reserve team and left West ham in 1971 after the young striker suffered an injury.He started coaching youngsters in 1973 after an invitation from John Lyall and by 1980 he was full-time and putting his own stamp on the famous Academy of football.
His previous success stories include Glen Johnson, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole and Jermain Defoe and more recently James Tomkins, Jack Collision and Mark Noble
From Ron Greenwood to Sam Allardyce, manager after manager during his 41 years at the Boleyn Ground West Ham have enjoyed Tony’s commitment to developing the stars of tomorrow. His aim has always been is to produce well-rounded individuals that understand all aspects of the ‘West Ham way’.Last year Tony was was honoured by the FA for his forty plus years of work as West Ham United’s Youth Academy Director as he received the Outstanding Contribution to Youth Development award and in 2010 he was made an MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list for his services to football and received a star-studded testimonial from West Ham.
About Willow Foundation
Willow is the only UK charity supporting seriously ill 16 to 40 year olds by providing unique and positive Special Days. We are totally reliant on the generosity of individuals, companies, trusts and foundations to fund our work. Since 1999 Willow has fulfilled more than 10,000 Special Days for young adults living with life-threatening conditions such as cancer, motor neurone disease, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy and Huntington’s disease.Founded by former Arsenal goalkeeper and TV presenter, Bob Wilson Willow is a lasting memorial to their daughter, Anna, who died of cancer aged 31. www.willowfoundation.org.uk
Other nominees up for awards tonight with a West ham connection
Harry Redknapp is up for Outstanding contribution to a London Club for his work with West ham whom he left 13 years ago. Harry started his career at West Ham in 1962 as an apprentice becoming a senior player between 1965 and 1972. He returned as manager in 1994 leaving in 2001. Former West Ham Manager Alan Curbishley is up for the same award for his work with Charlton.
Mervyn Day is up for the London Goalkeeping Award for West ham while West Ham legend Phil Parkes is up for the same award for his time at QPR. Mervyn was at West ham between 1973–1979.
Finally Jussi Jaaskelainen is up for Player of the year 2013/2014 against Eden Hazard and Aaron Ramsey.
You can hear Tony Carr’s radio interview about his career and the award on Talksport from earlier this week below.