The Albion Foundation are delighted to welcome Chris Gordon as the latest inductee to The Albion Foundation Hall of Fame.
The captain and coach of West Bromwich Albion Powerchair Football Club was presented with his award at The Albion Foundation’s Gala Dinner on Thursday evening and was met with applause and appreciation throughout the room.
As a player Gordon is a five-time Premiership champion, a two-time WFA Cup winner, one of the highest goalscorers in England history, scoring 206 career goals and has helped his country to multiple medals across European and World Championships.
His contributions to the sport both as a player and coach have not gone unnoticed, and his induction into the Hall of Fame are testimony to that.
"I kept getting told I needed to be here, it was a real surprise," Gordon said. "For the Foundation it's all about this recognition, we're footballers in our own right and the work that the teams do, the stories within are fantastic.
"Hopefully we only get more opportunities like this. I'm privileged to get this again tonight, but there's so many who could also get this award."
The wider Powerchair community came together to celebrate Gordon’s induction, and from these tributes, the impact of his hard work across the sport became even more apparent.
“I just wanted to wish you congratulations on making it into The Albion Foundation Hall of Fame,” Valentino Zegarelli, MVP Sydney World Cup Argentina Captain and former Albion Powerchair double-winning player said. “You totally deserve it, you’re an amazing captain and an amazing coach too.
“All of the time you’re doing things for the team, all of the support you give us. You’re an amazing person and I couldn’t be happier for you.”
“I would like to wish you congratulations for being introduced into The Albion Foundation Hall of Fame,” Bryan Weiss, World Cup-winning France captain said. “See you soon and congratulations again.”
“Wow, CG, what an achievement,” Jon Bolding, England and Aspire captain said. “Something that should have come a long time ago, if you ask me.
“To be inducted into the Hall of Fame is something to be incredibly proud of and fully deserved, if you ask me. What you've done for this sport, what you've done for West Brom, is nothing short of incredible.
“The impact you've had on me personally, to the players around you and to the staff to about anyone that's met you is something that, I can only describe as amazing.
“Like I say, the impact you've had on our sport. You've pushed me, pushed all of the players to the next level with your thoughts, your impact on the pitch or impact off the pitch.
“You really are an amazing guy. I'm privileged to call you my friend and I cannot wait to see you up on that wall in the Hall of Fame.
“It’s a sheer a privilege to know you and I want to just say a massive congratulations. Hopefully, you’ll be on the Hall of Fame for the FA one day.”
“On behalf of us all at the FA, I want to say many congratulations on your successful induction into The Albion Foundation’s Hall of Fame,” Debbie Hewett, Chair of the FA said. “What an incredible milestone.
“It's testament to your extraordinary career, a career that has been filled with remarkable achievements. Please know that you're making an inspiring and long-lasting impact on the sport of Powerchair football.
“You're not only a world class player beyond your playing accolades. You're an outstanding coach, winning multiple coach of the year awards for your work with the West Bromwich Albion first team, and also with the teams that support and feed into the club.
“Chris, it's clear that your dedication to developing players at all levels has been instrumental to shaping the success of West Bromwich Albion and, of course, to powerchair football more broadly.”
We would like to wish Chris a huge congratulations on his contribution to Powerchair Football and West Bromwich Albion Football Club – welcome to The Albion Foundation’s Hall of Fame.