Jack Wilson, a boxing coach who has been described as a “pillar of strength in the community”, says he was bought to tears by the news that he was to be awarded an MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list.

The 69-year-old, who runs the Marlow Police Community Boxing Club, found out in April that he was to receive the honour for his service to boxing, young people and charity.

Wilson is a familiar and well respected figure to those in the boxing community across Buckinghamshire after serving as a referee in the Home Counties for over 30 years, also acting as the Home Counties’ team manager and arranging a host of charity team matches during that time.

Well wishers haven’t been in short supply after news of his award spread, with England Boxing’s association secretary, Faz Keyani, stating: “Jack has made a wonderful contribution to boxing in the region. This award is thoroughly deserved and I’d like to take the opportunity to congratulate Jack on his achievements.”

The man himself was overwhelmed by the news of his MBE and is now eagerly awaiting a date for his meeting with the Queen, which he expects to take place later this year.

Wilson said the award was not just recognition of his contribution but also that of his late wife Linda, who supported him through his own amateur boxing career before doing the same for their sons Mark and Glynn. “When I received the letter I looked at it and couldn’t believe what I was reading and then I read it again and then my eyes just started running,” he said.

“She was part of it, she was part of the team, she was our team leader. When I boxed she was there with me, when Glynn boxed she was there for him. A few tears rolled down my eyes for her because she was a part of it.”

From speaking to those that have benefitted from the guidance and tutelage of Wilson and hearing stories about his work, it becomes clear that he has had a profound effect on people’s lives inside and outside of the boxing ring.

In 1998 Chris McDonagh, a boxer at Marlow, told the Bucks Free Press that he was so grateful to Wilson for keeping him out of trouble and giving him something to live for that he named his first child after him.

Bertie James, just eight-years-old when he joined Wilson’s ranks of young boxers, describes the man who transformed him from a “snotty nosed kid” to a national champion as a “brilliant father figure”.

James said: “He instilled in me that it wasn’t all about winning it was about how you portray yourself and hold yourself up high, regardless of whether you win or lose it’s about having self respect.

“Not only does he teach boxing, he also instils manners, behaviour, discipline and nowadays you don’t get much of that.”

James was Wilson’s first national champion in 1984 before he went onto turn professional four years later, although he was forced to retire for medical reasons having won three and drawn one of his four pro fights.

Now, at the age of 50, James is coaching alongside his former teacher at Marlow after returning to the place where it all began in September 2013.

His homecoming, which James described as a “god send”, coincided with Wilson being struck low by illness over Christmas that year, enabling him to step in and help his former coach in his time of need.

James says he owes all his titles to “the boss” as he affectionately calls him and says that he never would have had the courage to box were it not for Wilson – a man who he believes deserves more than the MBE which has been bestowed upon him.

“The whole world needs more people like him,” he said.

“Without coaches like Jack the sport would go down. You’ve got other coaches that are just into winning, winning and winning. I’ve experienced coaches that say ‘he’s rubbish, don’t bother with him’.

“Boxing is a man’s sport and you have to have courage just to step in the ring in the gym, it takes a lot of courage to take someone on one-on-one. Jack gives you that courage and you embrace that when you go out into the real world.

“The respect and courage that he gives you, you feel when you’re walking around on the streets. What Jack does for the kids is amazing. He doesn’t just teach them boxing, he teaches them self worth.”