Tony Carr has won the outstanding contribution to sport in BBC London's annual awards ceremony.
The Academy Director, made an MBE in 2010 for his services to football, was surprised to receive the prestigious prize in a year when there were several outstanding contributions across a range of sports. BBC London are the club's broadcast partners and considered a host of high-profile candidates.
Carr has continued to produce top talent for the club's youth system, as shown by the U18s earning a tremendous 3-2 victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers in this month's FA Youth Cup third round and Dan Potts going on to earn his first-team bow last weekend.
Callum McNaughton, George Moncur, Rob Hall and Dylan Tombides have also made it through the ranks to the first-team set-up in the last 12 months and there is every chance that a few of those names- and maybe one or two others - will force their way into Sam Allardyce's thoughts permanently in 2012.
For Carr, this latest honour was something he did not expect. "It was totally out of the blue," he told West Ham TV. "Totally unexpected. I didn't even know I was in the running. I am very honoured that the illustrious BBC have seen fit to give me this award.
"It is a special achievement. I feel quite honoured and humbled to be honest to have been thought of and considered for it. I am very proud and I am sure my family will be chuffed for me."
Carr collected his award while at Upton Park late in the evening after another full day and he admitted that he has no thoughts of slowing down. He and his talented coaches continue to put in all the hours to help the club maintain its reputation as the original Academy of Football.
"The work never stops. With youth football, it is about the weekends and weeknights, and all day. It consumes you seven days a week. Everyone in football will know that.
"Unless you are passionate about what you do you can't do it successfully. You need support from your family at home and the desire and drive to constantly improve on your previous work as you try to unearth the next player to break into the first-team squad.
"When I lose that hunger and drive will be the day I have to retire but I still have a bit left in me yet."