A grandfather who helped save a “fantastic” sports centre from being torn down nearly 40 years ago has won an award from the mayor of London.

Kevin Lincoln, of Lower Swaines, Epping, still volunteers at the Tottenham Community Sports Centre, in High Road, Tottenham, where he started playing football nearly 50 years ago.

The 61-year-old was the winner of Mayor of London Boris Johnson’s Special Award for the work he has done within the community.

Mr Lincoln was presented with the award by the mayor and Tottenham Hotspur legend Ledley King at a ceremony last Monday (September 14).

He said: “This award is hugely important to me – I feel very humbled as there were so many inspirational people at the ceremony.

“It’s also very important for Tottenham Community Sports Centre.

“It’s a fantastic place – a real community.

“There is no vandalism there at all either.”

In the 1960s, the centre was a Territorial Army base but a 14-year-old Mr Lincoln managed to persuade the sergeants to allow him and his friends to play football there.

And ten years later when the army wanted to sell it, the group managed to persuade Haringey Council to buy it and run it as a sports centre.

But when the authority closed it in 1998, Mr Lincoln rallied people together to take a lease on it and it has been run as a charitable trust ever since.

He now volunteers as the secretary to the trustees, helping out with the finances, bookings and day-to-day management.

The retired glassman said the aim of the charity is to provide activities for people aged five and up and today it is home to a wide range of groups.

He added: “We cross all the divides – the centre really reflects the needs of the community.

“It really is a second home.

“There is a great demand in Tottenham for facilities people can afford.

“I had a good childhood when I grew up in Tottenham and it might sound corny to say I want to bring something back but we’ve seen so many kids benefit from here, that it’s true.

“I hope young people there have the same experiences I did as a child.”

The award will be on display at the sports centre.