So, the news is out that former footballer, David Beckham, is set to be awarded a knighthood in King Charles' Birthday Honours, as he is in line to be recognition for both his football career, and his contributions to British society.
The 50-year-old, who has 115 England caps, as well as for Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, Paris St-Germain and AC Milan, before retiring in 2013. He was appointed with an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 2003 and was originally nominated for a knighthood in 2011.
Former footballer, ‘Sir’ David, who played a key role in securing the London 2012 Olympics, has been an ambassador for Unicef - which supports vulnerable children around the world – since 2005, is married to singer and fashion designer Victoria Beckham, with 4 children (Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper Seven). Unicef, since have launched 'The David Beckham Unicef Fund' to mark a 10-year partnership between the two.
An ambassador for the U.N. children’s fund for two decades, he is also part-owner of League Two side Salford City, as well as president and co-owner of Major League Soccer team Inter Miami in the United States. In the U.S., he helped to set-up the Inter Miami CF Foundation not-for-profit enterprise that looks to empower underserved communities, using football as a catalyst.
London-born Beham also helped set-up the Inter Miami CF Foundation - a community driven not-for-profit enterprise that looks to empower underserved communities, using football as a catalyst. As well as being the president of the Florida-based organisation, he is also part-owner of League Two side Salford City. A spokesperson for the government said that they wouldn’t comment on speculation on the list.
Honors are awarded twice a year, once at New Year’s, and then in June to mark the king’s birthday. With the honours list mostly made on the recommendation of the government, the monarchy also has input.
Whilst the knighthood will make Beckham ‘Sir David’ while his wife Victoria, a former Spice Girl who was known as Posh Spice, will become “Lady Beckham.” She was also previously honoured - for services to the fashion industry in a New Year Honours list.
David Beckham will be joining a list of some of the most influential and revered figures in the history of British football, with the first being Sir Charles Clegg, who received his award in 1927 after both playing for England and later serving as chair and president of the FA. He was followed by Sir Walter Winterbottom who receive a knighthood after becoming the first-ever England manager, in 1946
Other knighthoods in the game include former referee who was also the sixth president of FIFA, Sir Stanley Rous in 1949, England’s 1966 World Cup-winning manager, Sir Alf Ramsey, the game’s hattrick hero, Sir Geoff Hurst, another ‘66 winner and then-record England scorer Sir Bobby Charlton, his manager at Manchester United, Sir Matt Busby, former Preston North End and England wing-wizard, Sir Tom Finney, Sir Bert Millichip who got one in 1991 after his time as chair of the FA. Manchester United’s 1999 treble-winning manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, former England, Ipswich Town, PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona manager, Sir Bobby Robson, former England and West Ham stalwart, Sir Trevor Brooking, Scotland, Celtic and Liverpool record-breaking hero, Sir Kenny Dalglish who also won heaps of trophies whilst managing Liverpool, as well as winning the League with Blackburn Rovers. It was quite recently that former England manager, Sir Gareth Southgate, received his knighthood. In 1997, Brazil legend Pele was given an honorary knighthood.
A full list of the latest recipients is set to be published.
