FROME man, Graham Clarke, has been awarded a British Empire Medal in the King’s Birthday Honours list.
Graham received his award for services to Association Football and to young people in the southwest through his involvement with both Frome Collegians AFC and youth football in the county.
Through Graham’s mentoring and coaching, over 400 young players have progressed to senior level football and full-time professional careers, with a number playing in the Premier League. One of those players, Tyrone Mings, is also an England international.
For 20 years, Graham campaigned to provide a dedicated football pitch for the Frome Collegians, a team of which he is president, taking a disused showground and fundraising to build a first-class football facility. In 2011, he was presented with the County FA award for ‘outstanding contribution to community football’ by the President of Somerset County FA.
Speaking to Frome Times about his BEM, Graham said, “I was quite surprised to receive the news about the award, but it feels great to be recognised. I have a real love of football and youth development in the sport – there’s nothing better than seeing players I used to coach go on to bigger and better things.
“I spent 35 years working for the police and I think this helped me understand that young people can really benefit from having a positive outlet and interacting with each other. My most memorable experience in my time in football has to be when we won the national under 18s trophy for Somerset, I was so proud of the players.”
Graham, who is 82, says he plans to have a “proper” celebration when he receives his award.
Explaining the reason behind Graham’s recognition at the King’s Birthday Honours, a spokesperson from the Cabinet Office said, “As a retired police officer, Graham has seen much of the darker side of life and sadly, the extent to which young people are perpetrators and victims of crime. He is a believer that given suitable opportunities, young people can be drawn away from the temptations of criminality
“As a result, he pursued the opportunity to engage young people in football. He also took the opportunity to engage with the education system through his role as a school governor and by coaching football in a local secondary school. His dedication and achievements with and for young people is unique in his region.
“He was a team manager for Somerset County Schools Football Association for 26 years; firstly, with the U19 boys’ team, then with the U18 boys’ team. His dedication to the role was exceptional, giving his time freely to plan, organise and run numerous sessions and fixtures for the teams. He took the team across the country, playing numerous other county associations in both friendly and competitive competitions.
“Throughout his time, he was not only concerned with developing football ability but was keen to help the all-round personal development and qualities of these young men as they moved into adulthood. His continued hard work enabled two of his teams to reach the English schools national final, with a victory being achieved in 2002.
“Along with his work for Somerset schools, he has contributed more widely to schools’ football, being president of the South-West schools FA for many years, passing on his wisdom and experience both at meetings and helping with selection and running various South-West U19/18 representative football teams.
“He has used his extensive football knowledge by running Somerset FA U19 boys’ teams (separate from the school’s team) for many years, taking part in regional and national competitions. He continues to attend Somerset Schools FA Committee meetings regularly in his capacity as life vice-president.”
