FORMER footballer Paul Fletcher will be back on familiar ground when he delivers the keynote address at next month’s Examiner Business Awards.
The bustling player turned football club boss is set to delight a capacity audience at the awards, which take place on Thursday, November 13, at the Galpharm Stadium.
Leading figures from the Huddersfield business community will attend the awards, sponsored by law firm Chadwick Lawrence, to recognise the achievements of dozens of outstanding companies shortlisted for 11 categories of awards – and applaud the winners.
They will include the coveted title of Business of the Year and Business Person of the Year as well as trophies for categories including New Business of the Year; Employer of the Year; International Business/Trader of the Year and Young Business Person of the Year.
Paul Fletcher helped to oversee the development of Huddersfield’s premier sporting venue after he joined Town as chief executive in 1990 following 16 years as a professional footballer with Bolton Wanderers, Burnley and Colne Dynamos. Just two years into the high-profile job, he was asked to work full-time on the ambitious plans for the then McAlpine Stadium.
The development proved a winner – being named Building of the Year in 1995 by the Royal Institute of British Architects in recognition of its futuristic design. It also became a blueprint for a new generation of sports stadia worldwide.
After six years at the club, Paul returned to Bolton in 1996 to mastermind the £40m Reebok Stadium development.
That led to his appointment as commercial director of the new Wembley Stadium scheme – a post he held for 18 months before resigning and returning to his roots to spend more time with his family in Rawtenstall, Lancashire.
Over the next 10 years, Paul was in demand to advise on stadium schemes in Europe and Australia, before leading the Ricoh Stadium development for Coventry City – where he is now managing director. When Paul joined Burnley in 1970 he became on of the country's most expensive players. During the next 10 years, he made over 400 appearances for the club and was capped four times for England at under-23 level. A serious leg injury forced him to quit playing at the age of 32.
Paul, who has an MBE for services to football and charity, has proved a much sought-after speaker for dinners and corporate events – drawing on his experiences as a player, company director and chief executive.
One message he imparts to audiences is the value of teamwork, saying: “I draw on the simple teamwork principles I learned in my playing days at Burnley FC.
“People then used to wonder how this small town of Burnley achieved success in the greatest league in world football. Yet there are no great secrets, it was down to teamwork.
“Ordinary people, fired up with enthusiasm and a common goal can achieve incredible results – and have some fun along the way.”
Hosting the glittering presentation evening will be BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration, who is making his third appearance as MC at the annual awards.
Harry is a familiar face on tea-time TV as well as a presenter of BBC’s Super League Show.
Bradford-born Harry started his career as a history teacher at a Leeds school and got into broadcasting after persuading Radio Leeds to let him commentate on rugby league matches. His other credits include Radio 4’s Today programme, Match of the Day, Grandstand and Sportsnight.
Tickets for the evening cost £50 plus VAT. Phone 01484 437702.
