Career
He played as a left back and is currently Arsenal"s kit manager. He was also manager of Arsenal Ladies from the club"s foundation in 1987 until his retirement from the post in 2009. Akers started his career in the youth set-up with Fulham but did not sign a professional contract with the club
He moved into non-league football with Tonbridge (where his consistency at left-back meant that the young Malcolm Macdonald was forced to play as a left-footed right back, before converting to striker when he joined Newcastle), before signing for Bexley United in May 1969.
In July 1971 he signed for Cambridge United for £5000, and was part of the side that claimed the club"s first Football League promotion. He made 129 league appearances for Cambridge before joining Watford in July 1975 for a fee thought to be either £1000 or £2000.
He was an ever-present for the first half of the club"s first season back in the Fourth Division after relegation, making 22 league appearances as well as a further 4 in cup competitions. He went on to play for Hayes in 1978, and had joined Slough Town by October 1980.
By March 1984 he was playing for Carshalton Athletic and he joined Arsenal"s staff that same year.
Akers was appointed head of Arsenal"s community section in 1986 and in 1987 founded the Arsenal Ladies team He has managed Arsenal Ladies to every major trophy in English women"s football — the FA Women"s Cup ten times, the FA Women"s Premier League Cup ten times and the FA Women"s Premier League eleven times. This included five League and FA Women"s Cup Doubles and four domestic Trebles.
Akers was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in the 2010 New Year Honours.