SIX OF THE BEST
Jordan Henderson leads Queen’s Wearside birthday honours
Former Sunderland star and England captain Jordan Henderson’s charity work has been given Royal approval.
The former Farringdon Academy pupil has been made an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, not only for his achievements on the pitch but in recognition of his part in forming charitable fund, Players Together, which supportedNHS good causes during the first coronavirus pandemic lockdown.
Jordan, who celebrates his 31st birthday next week, came up through the Academy of Light and made his SAFC first team debut in November 2008.
He made almost 80 appearances for the Black Cats before being sold to Liverpool for an undisclosed sum, believed to be around £20million, in June 2011.
In the decade since, he has captained the Reds to Premier League and Champions’ League glory, as well as making almost 60 appearances for England and captaining the national team.
Leader of Sunderland City Council, Councillor Graeme Miller said :" This is very appropriate recognition for Jordan with all that he has achieved as he is a great ambassador for his sport and his community.
"Only this week he has spoken of how the England team must continue to keep 'taking the knee' and showing how they are united against racism.
"Jordan is very de serving of this recognition in the birthday honours.
"We look forward to a date in the future where his home city can also honour him."
In 2019, the City Council agreed that Jordan should at a future date be conferred with a Freedom of the City. The freedom was proposed as he has been an ambassador for the city, the North East, for football and as a strong role model for young people.
Jordan’ s Three Lions team mate Raheem Sterling is also made an M BE, in recognition of his services to racial equality in sport, as does former England midfielder Geoff Thomas for his work in raising funds for cancer treatment and research through the Geoff Thomas Foundation.
Former England boss Roy Hodgson and Wimbledon and A Question of Sport star Sue Barker receive CBEs, while rugby star Kevin Sinfield is awarded an O BE in recognition but also in raising more than £2million for research into motor neurone disease, a condition which has affected his friend and former Leeds Rhinos team-mate Rob Burrow.