England Women’s defender Casey Stoney was given an MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list, while former Three Lions midfielder Frank Lampard received an OBE.
Stoney, who received the award for services to football, is a member of Mark Sampson’s England squad who are competing at the World Cup in Canada.
The 33-year-old former Lionesses captain made her international debut in 2000 and has gone on to represent her country 119 times.
She donned the armband for Team GB at London 2012.
Stoney said: “I’m really proud. It’s fantastic to get recognised in your field of work. I love football. It has been my life.
“I’m not just proud for me, I’m proud for my family and I’m proud for every single person that’s ever worked with me in my career because without every single one of them I wouldn’t be standing here today receiving an MBE.
“It’s an amazing reward. I don’t think there’s a better reward really. It’s amazing for me and amazing for everybody that helped me on this path to get to where I am.”
England head coach Sampson added: “It’s a fantastic honour for Casey to be recognised for her contribution to women’s sport, women’s football and English football.
“[Casey has earned] over 100 caps, [she is] someone who has represented us at three World Cups, someone who is still a huge part of our current group.
“Someone who, more importantly, off the field has been a great ambassador for the game and has played a huge part in taking the women’s game in England to where it is today.
“The biggest compliment I can pay Casey is there’s not one manager in the world who wouldn’t want a Casey Stoney in their team.
“Everything you need to be to be a top footballer Casey Stoney epitomises. [She is a] model professional, I’ve never seen someone train as hard, be as efficient with every bit of work she does, the way she commits to the group on and off the field.
“The one thing she is desperate for is this England team to be successful.
“She deserves this, she really does. She has been a fantastic ambassador [and] she is a great person. We all love working with her.
“If there was a young girl out there, if I was fortunate enough to have a daughter, I’d certainly be saying ‘look at Casey. Follow her and you won’t go far wrong’.
Lampard earned 106 England caps
FA Chairman Greg Dyke said: “This is a richly deserved honour and I am absolutely delighted for Casey.
“She has served club and country to distinction and is an example for all young footballers to follow.
“I am sure she and her squad mates will be lifted by the news as they continue to represent England at the Women's World Cup in Canada.
“Casey has achieved much in the game - not least captaining Team GB on home soil in the London Olympics - and I wish her continued success.
“My congratulations also go to Frank Lampard for his OBE as he prepares to start a new chapter of his career in the United States.
“After 106 caps for England and countless honours with Chelsea, it is right he is recognised as one of this country’s most important players of recent years.”
