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Faye White |
Arsenal and England skipper bags an MBE
A TRIP to Buckingham Palace is on the cards for Arsenal and England captain Faye White after she was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s new year’s honours list.
White began flying the flag for the beautiful game after teaming up with Arsenal in 1996 and since 2003 has led the club to three doubles and won a half-century of England caps.
Now the Arsenal Ladies’ assistant development officer, who is always happy to promote the women’s game in schools and the media, has been recognised for her services to the sport.
The 28-year-old said she had told Gunners manager Vic Akers about the honour first and he was delighted, as were her parents Christine and Trevor.
White told the New Journal: “I was surprised because as a player you focus on winning things on the pitch so it’s not something I thought about.
“But it is an honour and good for the game so that’s really positive.”
The news should give central defender White the perfect start to 2007 after a year of highs and lows.
The early part of 2006 saw White lift the FA Cup and League trophy for Arsenal and play a part in England’s bid to reach the World Cup.
But a cruciate ligament injury picked up in August forced White to watch from the sidelines as England made the grade for China 2007 by finishing top of their World Cup qualification group.
And even more agonisingly, White could only shout encouragement from the bench as Arsenal became the first English team to reach the UEFA Cup final.
However, the skipper has overcome the potentially career-threatening injury before.
In 2002, White ruptured her left knee ligament but made it back to lead England out at the European Championships and steer Arsenal to League, League Cup and FA Cup glory.
Now, having gone through surgery on her right knee, she is determined to make a comeback for the World Cup finals in September and, if possible, for Arsenal’s European Cup final in April.
She said: “I’ve done it before but just to be part of that would be a big thing.”
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