December 31, (THEWILL) – Gareth Southgate leads the sporting figures recognised in the 2024 New Year Honours list, receiving a knighthood following his leadership of the England football team. Under his eight-year management, the national side reached the 2018 World Cup semi-final and two consecutive European Championship finals, with the most recent being the Euro 2024 final against Spain.
The Football Association chair, Debbie Hewitt, praised Southgate’s impact, stating: “He brought our fans closer than ever to the team, stood up for what he believed in and inspired players to share his pride in representing England. It has been a privilege to know the man and the manager.”
Welsh rugby legend, Gerald Davies, 79, also received a knighthood for his contributions to sport and charitable work in Wales. Davies, who served four years until 2023 during his Welsh Rugby Union presidency, told PA news agency: “I feel very emotional about it. I am surprised by it. Words are really quite inadequate to describe it.”
Olympic champion, Keely Hodgkinson, named BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024, becomes an MBE. The 22-year-old track star leads a substantial group of Team GB athletes honoured after their performances at the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics, including nine-time Paralympic gold medallist, Hannah Cockroft, who receives a CBE.
Former Liverpool, defender Alan Hansen, receives an MBE for his services to football and broadcasting, recognising both his distinguished playing career and his 22-year contribution to BBC’s Match of the Day. David Moyes earns an OBE for his services to football management.
The honours list acknowledges significant contributions to sports development, including Anita White’s CBE for her work advancing women in sport, while Dawn Astle receives an MBE for her dedicated work supporting footballers with dementia through the Jeff Astle Foundation.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
