Tony Larkin

Anthony Gerard Larkin (born 12 January 1956) is an English former professional footballer, and manager and coach of the England blind football team, which is based at the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford. Larkin is also the former head of sport and recreation at the college, as well as Patron of the disability sports charity British Blind Sport. Head Coach of England Women’s Blindfootball 2023 to current date.

Career

During a footballing career spanning fifteen years Larkin made over 320 professional appearances for teams including Everton, Wrexham, Shrewsbury Town, Carlisle and Hereford United. The Football Academy, which is based at the Royal National College, was officially opened in August 2008 by former England footballer Sir Trevor Brooking and offers visually impaired students the opportunity to include football as part of their study programme with a view to playing the game at a national level. The college hosted the 2010 World Blind Football Championships.

He coached Britain's Blind Football team for the 2012 Summer Paralympics. Larkin became Patron of British Blind Sport in March 2013. Upon his retirement in January 2016 he was Director of Business and Enterprise at RNC. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2016 Birthday Honours for services to Further Education and Disability Sport.