New Year’s Honours

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    Spurs legend Jimmy Greaves finally set to net gong in New Year’s honours – to complete 1966 squad

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    FOOTBALL great Jimmy Greaves is finally set to be given a gong in the New Year’s honours.

    The record-breaking striker and former TV host, 80, will be made an MBE along with fellow 1966 World Cup squad member Ron Flowers, 86.

    Fans have been campaigning for Jimmy Greaves to be honoured for yearsCredit: PA:Press Association
    They were chosen to ensure every surviving member of the victorious group has received awards from the Queen, sources said.
    It comes after a lengthy public campaign to get Greavsie, in poor health after a 2015 stroke, a gong.
    Other non-playing squad members have received honours and a Whitehall source said: “It is astonishing he has never been honoured. It would be an outrage if that continued.”

    The source explained: “Greavsie and Ron are finally being honoured to make sure the entire squad is recognised.

    Jimmg Greaves is one of England’s most prolific ever strikersCredit: Getty – Contributor
    There are not many left and Jimmy and Ron are the last surviving ones who have not been given a gong.”
    Ex-Spurs, Chelsea, West Ham and AC Milan striker Greaves, who played in the 1962 World Cup, was injured in the group stage in 1966.
    Replacement Geoff Hurst went on to score a hat-trick in the 4-2 final win over West Germany after manager Sir Alf Ramsey opted to stick with a winning team.

    East Londoner Greavsie, England’s fourth-highest goalscorer, later struggled with alcoholism but beat the booze and became an award-winning TV presenter — co-hosting footie show Saint and Greavsie with Ian St John from 1985 to 1992.

    Greaves’ amused the nation with his witty TV work with Ian St JohnCredit: Rex Features

    Harry Kane is chasing down Jimmy Greaves’ Tottenham goalscoring recordCredit: Getty – Contributor

    Jimmy Greaves’ MBE will be formally announced in the New Years’ Honours listCredit: Guzelian

    He was popular for his witty, no-nonsense style and coined the phrase: “It’s a funny old game.”
    Greavsie, who did not get a ’66 medal until 2009, scored a record 357 goals in the top tier of English football — plus 44 for England in just 57 appearances.
    He still holds Tottenham’s record with 220 top-flight goals. Harry Kane is on 152.

    England’s 1966 World Cup winning squad have won numerous honours

    Ron Flowers will also receive a MBE in the New Years Honours’ listCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Former Wolves defender Ron Flowers will receive the same award as Jimmy GreavesCredit: Getty – Contributor

    Tottenham’s Jimmy Greaves scores terrific team goal in5-1 drubbing of Manchester United in 1965
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      in Motorsport

      Lewis Hamilton ‘faces wait for knighthood due to new Government policy NOT to honour active sports stars’

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      LEWIS HAMILTON will have to RETIRE before earning a knighthood, according to reports.
      Following the Mercedes star’s record-equalling seventh Formula One world title, many in the sport see it as inconceivable that Hamilton will not eventually be knighted.

      Lewis Hamilton may have to wait until for a knighthood, despite calls for an immediate honourCredit: Rex Features

      However, the Mail report on a recent Government U-turn that will see the end of the honour being handed out to active sports stars.
      A number of top British athletes have been knighted before retiring, from Sir Mo Farah and Sir Andy Murray to Dame Kelly Holmes.
      Having topped Michael Schumacher’s record of 91 race wins and levelled the Ferrari legend’s seven world titles, Hamilton is expected to receive plenty of rewards in the coming months.
      One more trophy, the Sports Personality of the Year Award, is set to be keenly contested with Tyson Fury and coronavirus pandemic heroes such as Joe Wicks.

      And Mercedes are set to hold talks with the 35-year-old over a fresh contract, worth a total £120million.
      Hamilton has previously spoken modestly when it comes to being knighted, but is a ‘proud Brit’ who readily waves the Union Jack with each triumph.

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      He said: “When I think about that honour, I think about people like my grandad who fought in the war, or Captain Tom for what he did.
      “Or the people in the hospitals who are saving us during this hardest of times. I think about those unsung heroes.

      “I am not a hero. I am not saving anybody. It is an incredible honour that a small group of people have bestowed on them.
      “But what I can say is that I am a very proud Brit and it is a special moment to be representing a nation with the flag above your head in P1.”

      Hamilton drove to a sensational victory in Istanbul on Sunday to claim his titleCredit: PA:Press Association

      The Brit racer enjoyed a run on the beach on Tuesday morning as he soaked up his achievementCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton

      A number of motorsport figures are said to have written to the Government to press for Hamilton’s knighthood.
      UK Motorsport boss Dave Richards is quoted as saying the gong is ‘not just about Hamilton being a supreme racing driver but for all the other work he does’.
      The only other F1 world champion to be knighted, Sir Jackie Stewart, has told the Telegraph that there is ‘no question’ Hamilton deserves to join him.

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