by Lee Hurley

Casey Stoney will receive an OBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list.

Stoney, who is currently on duty with England at the World Cup in Canada, has well over 100 caps for her country and was captain of Team GB for the London 2012 Olympics.

Speaking about the award, 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.”

Meanwhile England manager, Mark 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’.

While Greg Dyke, FA Chairman, 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.”

Stoney has spent a total of five years at Arsenal in two separate spells, returning in 2014.

Coming out as gay and speaking openly about her relationship and the twins she had with her partner, Megan Harris, she was recently named as one of the Top 50 most influential gay and lesbian people in the UK by the Independent.