Carr honoured by Willow Foundation

Academy Director Tony Carr MBE has been recognised by the Willow Foundation for his long service to West Ham United and youth development.

Carr was also honoured at the charity's London Football Legends Awards, which were hosted at the the Grange Tower Bridge Hotel in central London. There, Carr was presented with the Willow Award in recognition for his contribution off the pitch in coaching hundreds of youngsters through the Academy of Football.

The Willow Foundation was established in 1999 by former Arsenal and England goalkeeper Bob Wilson following the death of his daughter Anna from cancer at the age of 31. The charity provides unique and positive Special Days for seriously ill people aged between 16 and 40.

The London Football Legends Awards were attended by a host of the capital's biggest football names, including former Hammers Sir Geoff Hurst, Sir Trevor Brooking and Jimmy Greaves, and raised thousands of pounds for the Willow Foundation.

"When I got the phone call asking me to attend the dinner because I was being presented with this award picked by a panel of judges, that in itself was humbling and I was grateful to accept it," Carr, who was presented with his award by former Tottenham Hotspur and England defender Gary Mabbutt  told West Ham TV.

"Basically, it was in recognition of my long service to the Club and the acheivement, not only my own, but of the Academy generally over a number of years.

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Tony Carr MBE receives his award from Gary Mabbutt

"It was good. I bumped into Geoff Hurst and we had a long conversation. He is living down in Cheltenham now and had been invited to present one of the prizes. I also had a long conversation with [former Chelsea player and manager] John Hollins and [Arsenal legend] Frank McLintock and other guys who I have known throughout the years and bumped into at various stages.

"Jimmy Greaves was there and he gave a very good presentation and talk and was quite jovial, so there were lots of old faces there and lots of London football legends, so it was nice to be part of that."

For more information about the Willow Foundation, click here.