Metropolitan Police have named their Main Stand after their Chairman Des Flanders a long distinguished career in football as they celebrate 100 years.
Des started his police career with Surrey Police. For nine years, until he moved to the Met in 1985, he was Chairman of the Surrey Police Football Club. They played in in the Surrey Intermediate League Western Division.
In 1990 he became a Vice-Chairman of the M.P.F.C.. He became Chairman in 1993. He has accordingly been the club's Chairman for a quarter of its existence, the club celebrating it's a centenary season this year. He has overseen a dramatic change in the club, from one where all the players were serving police officers, to a club that now is not the case, but has a huge community/junior section and a Youth Team that have had a few remarkable runs into the 'proper rounds' of the F.A. Youth Cup. He was on the Board of Directors of the Isthmian League from 2004-2017.
His predecessor as Chairman was the then Deputy Commissioner (that's one serious rank, number 2 in London!!!) He became Chairman as a Deputy Assistant Commissioner (again very serious!!). His predecessor wrote in his final annual report on handing over 'We are indeed extremely fortunate that Des is a football fanatic, especially at our level of the game'.
Stephen Kyte
Metropolitan Police FC
