Akers delight at New Year honour

Vic Akers helpes celebrate the 2007 FA Women's Cup final win over Charlton.

Former Arsenal Ladies manager Vic Akers has dedicated his OBE in the New Year's Honours list to the staff who helped him to win 32 trophies in 22 years.

Akers, 63, pioneered the all-conquering Arsenal women's team in the mid-1980s.

He told BBC London 94.9: "We've worked hard together and I've had great support within the club, none more so than former vice-chairman David Dein.

"The board have supported the side ever since, and they're one of the few major football clubs who've done that."

Akers helped to set up the team in 1985. And they have grown to establish themselves as one of the most successful women's teams in Europe.

He combined his duties with his role as kit-man for Arsenal's first team, during which time he built strong links between the ladies team and senior squad.

"All the lads that I worked with during the period - especially the likes of Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Viera and Thierry Henry, are close friends of mine.

"They've all given us great support and the present day players are the same.

"They're all with us, the staff have all been behind us and the medical staff have always helped out what has now become one of the most professional 'non-professional' sides in women's football."

Akers says the standard of women's football, particularly England's national side, has 'raised the bar' in recent years. But he wishes other clubs around the country would share Arsenal's commitment.

It's an honour for everybody involved in Arsenal Ladies FC as I've not done what I've done alone

Vic Akers, OBE

"Sadly had we had that support from other clubs as well as our own I think the game would have been even further advanced," he said. "We'd have been that much further down the line and been even more successful at international level.

"It's growing and let's hope we can maintain the support for the game which I intend to do for further years and hopefully get more success."

Akers relinquished his role at the end of last season, but remains involved as General Manager. And he is pleased to share his OBE with his family after a difficult period.

"Sadly at the moment my mother is terminally ill," he said, "so I've had a difficult few months travelling up and down to the Kent coast where my family are.

"It's been tough but I'm delighted she's actually got that news as well before passing away.

"The family are very supportive. My own two sons and my grandchildren have also missed their grandad, as I've always been tied up and sadly not seen enough of them growing up.

"All of them are really supportive, so they're delighted for me and it's an honour for everybody involved in Arsenal Ladies FC as I've not done what I've done alone.

"We've had good staff along the way and fantastic players and we've made some good teams in those 20-plus years to achieve what we've achieved."