NEW YEAR'S HONOURS

Congratulations to Jimmy Greaves (below), who at 80 years old, has been awarded an MBE, following various years of campaigning by his friends and supporters. As a player (1966 England squad player, not selected by Alf Ramsey), Chelsea, Spurs, TV broadcaster and recovered addict, he has publicly promoted the dangers of alcohol; this recognition was promoted by a 32,000 strong "Sportsmail" petition in the national press. Having experienced "illness" since his retirement from football, he was very good at commentating, bringing a whole new style to Saturday morning football shows with Isan Saint John. Later Jimmy had a stroke in May 2015 and has recovered, just. 

Ron Flowers of Wolves, who was in the 1966 World Cup squad, is also awarded an MBE at 86 years old.  The entire World Cup "team" were, earlier presented with MBEs and of course Alf Ramsey, the architect of England's success was knighted at that time. Bobby Charlton (1994) and Geoff Hurst (1998) were later knighted. 

Kenny Dalglish (2018) and Alex Ferguson (1999) have also been knighted. Then there are: Sir Stanley Rous, Tom Finney, Matt Busby, Bert Millichip to name a few.

Harry Kane has an MBE and so does Marcus Rashford for their services to football and charity, especially COVID. Loren Dykes of Cardiff City Ladies, Jill Scott and Steph Houghton of Manchester City Ladies have MBEs, as does Fara Williams of Reading Ladies FC.

Knighthoods have been awarded to Charles Clegg, in 1927, who was a player, FA Chairman/President. A Sheffield man who did much to promote the game in its early years. 

READ!! He was more broad-minded than people expected. He understood that players sometimes had to 'rough it'. He also had a sharp wit. During a disciplinary meeting, where a young player had been brought before him for ungentlemanly remarks to a referee, Clegg asked what had been said. The player responded, "Well, I said 'I've shit better referees'". "I see," said Clegg. "All right, I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll give you a week to prove you can do just that. But if you can't, I'm afraid you'll have to pay a £1 fine"

Sir Stanley Matthews, probably our best known footballer, with Stoke City, Blackpool and England, took the game to foreign countries after the Second World War. Don't forget, Sir Trevor Brooking, Walter Winterbottom and Bobby Robson.

Other footballers with various Honorary Awards (OBE/CBE) given in the past include: Aaron Hughes, Ian Wright, Gareth McAuley, Casey Stoney, Alex Scott, Kelly Smith, Stephen Gerrard, Beckham, Lampard, Shearer, Yankey, Bert Millichip, Dave Richards (Football Foundation-Premier League). Of course there are overseas awards of which Pele, with an Honorary KBE, would be the most prestigious. There are also Ryan Giggs, Henrick Larrson, Niall Quinn, Gianfranco Zola, Peter Schmeichel to name a number.