Secured by Design Compliance Manager Ken Meanwell was as thrilled as he was surprised on Sunday, 1 July to receive a Medal of Honour for his work for the European Police Football Championships over the last 25 years.
At a formal dinner and presentation evening to mark the finish of this year’s Union Sporting Des Polices D’Europe (USPE) tournament in Prague, Ken listened to a citation being read out and it was until he heard his name being called that he realised it was for him!
Ken has just retired as their secretary, but remains treasurer and an honorary member of their organising committee.
For this year’s tournament, where the UK team came 7th out of the last eight teams, Ken organised all the flights and accommodation.
The Medal of Honour was presented by Luc Smeyers, President of USPE.
Ken said: “I didn’t have a clue I was receiving a medal, no hints at all. I heard this citation being read out and didn’t know it was for me until I heard my name.
“Obviously, I am a football fanatic and I do the work because I love it, but after it had sunk in I was chuffed to bits to be rewarded with a medal in recognition of my efforts,” he explained.
The UK team proudly wearing shirts displaying the Secured by Design logo, scored a total of nine goals and finished seventh in the 17th USPE Championships which started on 25 June. The final on Sunday, 1 July was won by Germany 4 v 0 against the Czech Republic.