Lifetime Achievement Award (voted by FA Chairman David Bernstein)
David Clarke, England and Team GB Blind Team
With a staggering 128 goals in 144 international appearances, including five World Cups and six European Championships, it’s no surprise that former England Blind Team captain David Clarke was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by FA Chairman David Bernstein.
Clarke, who has appeared at three Paralympic Games for Great Britain, retired from playing after London 2012 but as a coach of Harpenden Colts’ U7s, he’ll still be heavily involved in the game.
Given his goalscoring stats, he has been described as England’s greatest goalscorer and was the longest-serving member of the England five-a-side football team for blind players when he retired last year.
The three-time European Championship ‘Golden Boot’ winner was chosen as a Stadium torch bearer at last summer’s Paralympics and remains an icon in the world of blind football and is an ambassador for the sport.
“In a year when we are marking The FA’s 150th anniversary, it is marvellous that we can celebrate the achievement of England and Team GB blind football star David Clarke,” said Bernstein. “But don’t just take my word for it.”
And Clarke received a glowing tribute from none other than former England captain David Beckham, who had previously trained with the Blind Team.
“I just want to say congratulations,” said the PSG midfielder, “It was a real honour and a pleasure to see what you and the guys get up to and achieve. It is a true honour to meet and work with you. Congratulations again on the lifetime achievement award, it is really well deserved.”
Disability Player of the Year (voted by Club England Coaches)
Ibrahima Diallo, England Cerebral Palsy Team
Runner-up: Daniel English (England Blind Team)
Third Place: Josh Pugh (England Partially-Sighted Team)
Ibrahima was born in Guinea and moved to England with his parents at the age of ten. He was a member of the GB team that won silver at the 2012 Paralympic World Cup and was selected for the Summer Paralympics to play in the seven-a-side football event for players with cerebral palsy.
Making his Games debut last year, he was one of Team GB’s top scorers and was credited with notching the winning goal in the last match against USA, which helped his team to secure seventh place.
