Ian Darler has been named as the Club Employee Award winner at the 2025 EFL Awards ceremony in London...
Following on from 2023/24, the EFL’s Club Employee Award looks to celebrate and recognise an outstanding Club or Football Club charity employee, working either full time, part time or on a matchday.
Ian has been an employee of Cambridge United for 45 years, joining as Head Groundsman in 1979. He is recognised as one of the finest groundsmen in the EFL and was awarded a BEM in the Queen’s Birthday Honours back in 2020.
Within the last year alone, Ian has raised over £10,000 for charity, the majority of which for Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire Mind (CPSL Mind).
The work to date has led to Ian teaming up with the Foundation to launch a mental health café called ‘Bright Horizons’, something which will have a lasting impact on the local community. Ian’s impact on the Club and local community cannot be overstated.
Speaking after picking up his award, Ian said: “When I started in 1979 I didn’t appreciate the power of football and the fact that Cambridge United, the EFL etc. give us a platform to help so many people is just simply incredible.”
Everyone associated with Cambridge United would like to offer a hearty congratulations to Ian for this richly deserved recognition.