AFC Wimbledon’s Phil Clark says the award won for ensuring fans’ safety is down to the team around him – even though he knows it is an old cliche.

Clark, the club’s safety officer, picked up the Kingston Borough Commander’s commendation last week for delivering “professionalism and dedication in delivery of safe sporting events”.

He said: “It is about putting your trust in staff to do a good job. It’s an old cliche, but you are only as good as the team around you.

“This award recognises the hard work and preparation that we all do leading up and during a game.”

Clark added: “For matches deemed as higher risk, we will have between 55 and 60 stewards working.

“Three-quarters of these will be paid staff, but we also have valued volunteers who have worked for us for years on the turnstiles and in the car park.

“We have good banter, but when the ground opens at 1.30 pm on a Saturday you start to take things seriously.“

He added: "The most enjoyable part of the job is doing my bit to make sure that a match day passes by safely and there is no serious disorder at a game inside or outside the ground.

"You then realise that you are doing something right.”

Inspector Richard Dean, who has worked closely with the club on safety issues and attended games at the Cherry Red Records stadium since 2008, revealed that such awards are not handed out very often.

“Awards from the Borough Commander are quite rare,” said Richard.

“Phil, his team, and the whole club should be really proud.

“AFC Wimbledon’s professional and dedicated approach in working together with both the police and local authority has ensured that the best opportunity is always given to making match days at the stadium safe and secure for all of the fans attending.

!I have been coming to AFC Wimbledon for a number of years and I feel that the club is a vibrant part of the community. Clubs at all levels should be like this.”