David Rose has been awarded a UEFA Order of Merit for his service as Ipswich Town's club secretary.Rose has retired from the club but has recently joined the Football Association's disciplinary committee.

David Rose has been awarded a UEFA Order of Merit for his service as Ipswich Town's club secretary.

Rose has retired from the club but has recently joined the Football Association's disciplinary committee.

Rose said: "This is a wonderful, and totally unexpected accolade. I joined the best club in the country in 1958 and it is still the best club in the country now."

David Sheepshanks paid tribute to the former club secretary and said: "Any business, or Football Club, is only as good as its people.

"Last night was the first AGM that we had the opportunity of celebrating the extrordinary service of our former club secretary and still company secretary David Rose.

"He has been on the staff since 1958 and has served the club with distinction ever since.

"We still retain his expertise on a part-time basis although, aside from his duties as a Babergh District Councillor and a leading light of the Suffolk Lawn Tennis Association, David has also been co-opted by the FA as an expert for their disciplinary committee."

There are only five of the UEFA merit awards being made to people who have made an outstanding contribution to English football.