'Taggy' gets medal

Queen awards Exeter City FC president BEM

Exeter City Council's chief executive has sent his congratulations to the man who has led Exeter City Football Club over many years. 

Julian Tagg is the recipient of a British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. He's been recognised for his voluntary work as chair of Exeter CITY Community Trust, the football club’s partner charity.

Once a PE teacher at Exeter College, Mr Tagg has been instrumental in the development of the organisation since 2003 and chair since 2007, and says he is deeply honoured to have been nominated for the award. 

Karime Hassan, the city council's CEO and growth director, paid tribute to him, saying: "Julian has been a fantastic servant to the Exeter community, through his relationship with Exeter City Football Club and the stakeholders in the city, he has worked tirelessly to support numerous initiatives to encourage physical activity, citizen participation and career advancement.

‘As the chair of City Community Trust, Julian, and the team he leads, played a major part in the council’s community response to support the vulnerable and shielded. Whatever the situation, Julian is always among the first to stand up and help. Much of the work he does goes completely unsighted, which is why I am so delighted he has been given this public recognition."

Mr Tagg said: "This is a tremendous honour and I am sincerely grateful. But this is so much more than about the work I have done for the charity. It is an award for every person who works so hard in that organisation to support our community. From the work we do with people with disabilities, supporting people in Exeter to become healthier, to our latest outreach work connecting people who are isolated or lonely. Every person in the charity is dedicated to improving people’s lives."

His first association with Exeter City was at his first match as a nine-year-old and a ball boy at 11, going on to play at St James Park as a 12-year-old and for the reserves when he was just 15. He was director of the club’s Academy from 1994, later going on to be chairman of the club. Earlier this year, he was appointed club president and director of external affairs recognising his commitment to the club and the importance of his role when working with external partners, whether that is in the world of football or in the city.

Radio Exe's managing director Paul Nero sent his congratulations too. He said: "Julian has been a firm friend of Radio Exe over many years. The club is an integral part of Exeter, its work going far beyond football, sport and wellbeing, and touching the community in ways that many people may not appreciate. Honours have gone to others in football in this Birthday Honours List and they may get the national headlines, but to us, Julian personifies 'community' and he thoroughly deserves this recognition."