MBE for Ivor, a coach at 92!

Jun 30 2008 by Gavin O'Connor, South Wales Echo THE world’s oldest working football coach has picked up his MBE at Buckingham Palace. Ivor Powell, who is from Bargoed, was presented with the honour by Her Majesty The Queen at a ceremony just days short of his 92nd birthday. He has been involved in the professional game for 75 years, first signing for Queens Park Rangers in 1933 after starting life as a miner. Ivor went on to have spells at Blackpool, Aston Villa and won 14 Welsh caps. It was at Blackpool he struck up a friendship with Sir Stanley Matthews, who went on to be Ivor’s best man at his wedding. However, his football career shows no signs of coming to an end, still coaching university students. “I was honoured to receive the MBE from the Queen,” said Ivor, following the ceremony. “It made me proud and gave me a... [read full story]