Full list of knighted British footballers revealed as David Beckham joins exclusive club – can you name them all?
DAVID BECKHAM has joined an exclusive club after becoming the latest British football star to receive a knighthood.
Golden Balls will officially arise as Sir Becks after SunSport exclusively revealed
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David Beckham will join an exclusive list of British football stars when he is knighted
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Sir Gareth Southgate was the most recent to be honoured earlier this year
Credit: PA
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Sir Alex Ferguson was knighted when he led Man Utd to the Treble in 1999
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Sir Bobby Robson received his award in 2002
Credit: AFP
Beckham, 50, has long yearned for a knighthood after his services to the beautiful game.
And Spice Girl wife Victoria will benefit by becoming Lady Beckham.
Former
He will now join an exclusive group of other British football personalities to receive royal knighthoods.
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But just 16 names are already on the list.
The first was Sir Charles Clegg, who received his award in 1927 after both playing for England and later serving as chairman and president of the FA.
He was followed by Sir Stanley Rous in 1949, a former referee who was also the sixth president of FIFA.
England legend Sir Stanley Matthews next received one in 1965 while still being an active player, having become the first person to win the European Footballer of the Year award.
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World Cup-winning manager Sir Alf Ramsey then got his in 1967, a year after leading the Three Lions to glory against West Germany.
And in 1968 it was the turn of Man United icon Sir Matt Busby, the first manager of an English team to win the European Cup.
David Beckham to finally be awarded knighthood after string of near misses & disappointments over more than a decade
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Sir Matt Busby was given his knighthood in 1968
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SunSport exclusively revealed Sir Tom Finney's award in 1998
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Sir Geoff Hurst got his award in 1998
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Fast forward 10 years later and Sir Walter Winterbottom was the next to receive a knighthood after becoming the first-ever England gaffer in 1946.
Sir Bert Millichip then got one in 1991 after his time as chairman of the FA.
Three years later it was Sir Bobby Charlton's turn, having previously been award a CBE and an OBE.
In 1998, both Sir Geoff Hurst and Sir Tom Finney were knighted by the Queen - with news of the latter's honour exclusively revealed by SunSport.
And one year later Sir Alex Ferguson received his after leading Man United to the Treble.
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Sir Trevor Brooking was knighted in 2004
Credit: Alamy
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Sir Kenny Dalglish received his title in 2018
Credit: PA
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Brazil legend Pele was given an honorary knighthood in 1997
Credit: AP:Associated Press
Newcastle legend Sir Bobby Robson was then knighted in 2002 thanks to his iconic career in the dugout.
Sir Trevor Brooking followed two years later, with Sir Dave Richards honoured in 2006.
Sir Kenny Dalglish then became the next 12 years later in 2018 thanks to his brilliant time with Liverpool as both boss and player.
And in January, Sir Gareth Southgate was awarded for leading England for successive second-place finishes at the European Championships.
Now, it's Beckham's turn to take his place among the pantheon of British football legends.
But an additional knighthood has also been given to a non-Brit, with the late Brazilian legend Pele receiving an honorary one in 1997.
Full list of British football knighthoods
Sir Charles Clegg, 1927
Sir Stanley Rous, 1949
Sir Stanley Matthews, 1965
Sir Alf Ramsey, 1967
Sir Matt Busby, 1968
Sir Walter Winterbottom, 1978
Sir Bert Millichip, 1991
Sir Bobby Charlton, 1994
Sir Tom Finney, 1998
Sir Geoff Hurst, 1998
Sir Alex Ferguson, 1999
Sir Bobby Robson, 2002
Sir Trevor Brooking, 2004
Sir Dave Richards, 2006
Sir Kenny Dalglish, 2018
Sir Gareth Southgate, 2025
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RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Heimir Hallgrimsson believes confidence growing in Ireland squad
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Jack Taylor was another handed his first start in a green jersey, asked to link midfield and attack, staying close to striker Adam Idah throughout the first period, and evidently working hard out of possession. Ireland's gameplan was aimed at exploiting the flanks, while quickly switching play to create space inside the Senegal half, and it was working well throughout those opening 45 minutes with the final delivery, perhaps, the limiting factor when it came to goalscoring opportunities. Will Smallbone flashed a shot wide in the 18th minute, and then three minutes later, the opening goal came, as McAteer firmly put his name in the conversation for the upcoming campaign. It was a well-worked goal that appeared to have a training ground ring to it, as the corner was delivered deep to the back post, and while Matt Doherty and Dara O'Shea appeared to be competing for the same ball, the latter's header back to the edge allowed Ryan Manning to flick it back into the mix. Nathan Collins kept it moving before McAteer's header looked to be flying into the top left corner of the net. He would have to wait a moment longer for his first international goal as Yehvann Diouf somehow managed to claw the ball out of the goal, however, the alert McAteer showed both class and composure to control the ball and finish on the spin. At that moment of the game, Ireland were in complete control and the already lacklustre Senegal appeared to fade further, however, the home side were unable to capitalise on the continued spell of dominance. The visitors then managed to kill the tempo and Hallgrimsson's side appeared content to enjoy some respite and safely negotiate their way to the half-time break. Conceding goals shortly after the break was another bad habit that Ireland slipped into in recent years – along with shots from distance – but it would appear that is being addressed by the current regime as Ireland came flying out for the second half and had two chances in quick succession to double the lead. Smallbone again, as the defence parted, allowing a well-struck shot from the edge of the box, and Manning with a follow-up effort that was worked away from goal by some last-ditch defending. Senegal were a different proposition in the second period, however, and started showing signs of that dynamic play that Hallgrimsson spoke about before the game with powerful running causing problems in the Ireland defence, with Caoimhín Kelleher protecting the lead. So by the time the saturation of substitutes flooded the pitch, Ireland were holding on admirably, while getting the competitive test that they craved with tougher days ahead when they battle for top spot with Portugal and Hungary. Ireland had five substitutes on the pitch when Senegal finally secured their equaliser, which took a certain amount of gloss off the performance, and while the manager was happy overall, he was surely ruing the fact that his side were unable to hold out for the win. "Our collective defence was good," said Hallgrimsson, speaking at the post match press conference. "We must recognise that this is a world-class team, and at times when we were defending without the ball, made them look quite average. "But mostly happy that they didn't create a whole lot of scoring chances. Caoimh made one or two good saves but apart from that I don't think he needed to do too much in this game and that is pleasing. 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Book review: Light touch always present in a story that is about love, pure and simple
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