Former Hereford United fitness coach Tony Ford has been honoured for his services to weightlifting.
The former Commonwealth Games gold medalist was given the award at a British Weightlifting’s centenary dinner at York.
"I was at the event as a guest and was taken totally by surprise when I was called up to collect the award," Ford told the Burton Mail.
"It’s lovely to be acknowledged as someone who has left their mark on his chosen sport."
Ford gained a gold medal at the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Now 72, Ford is a fitness coach with Graham Turner at Shrewsbury. He left Hereford United in June 2010 after many years at Edgar Street.
Recently his work was remembered by Chris Hargreaves in his new book 'Where's Your Caravan'.
'Tony came onto the pitch like one of those American life coaches, with music playing and a pretty full-on motivational speech. Most of the players were having none of it. The way they saw it, this old man (Tony was over sixty) couldn't help them.
'How wrong they were. I knew straight away that Tony was great for the club and for me.'
Text at top (next game etc)
Next: FA Cup Away At Sporting Khalsa On Tuesday 23rd September at 7.45pm
Get involved with the Bulls News Prediction League - play our free game