Players with honours

[Gav]

I was just sitting at my desk thinking about National Treasure Jason Roberts when it dawned on me that he can't be the only player to have held Most Excellent Orders whilst playing for us. Shaun Goater was the next obvious one, and then I remembered Les Ferdinand, and then I got stuck.

So, apart from NTJR, Goater and Leslie, how many players have we had with honours before now? Is it a lot, or have we just had a recent glut?

[Barry the bird boggler]

It'll be a recent glut as honours these days are handed out like sweeties. e.g. cyclists get them for winning a gold medal and cricketers for winning the ashes, while back in the day the England WC winning team got naff all.

The only ones before these I can think of will be military awards for war service

[Dare to Dr£am]

Not playing for us, but played for us - Sir Alf Ramsey.

He played for Reading before or during the war. Can't be bothered to look up the dates. Surely our most decorated ex player!



I know it's not quite what the thread is about but still, it's an education in our history for some of the newbie fans.

[Maguire]

Barry Hunter got the Medal Of Honour for holding a defensive position during Operation Desert Storm.

[Pepe the Horseman]

Barry Hunter got the Medal Of Honour for holding a defensive position during Operation Desert Storm.

*salutes*

[elman]

Reading FC had a number of guest players during the war years (1939 - 1945) besides Sir Alf Ramsey there
was also a cetain Sir Matt Busby played for them.

[Gav]

Barry Hunter got the Medal Of Honour for holding a defensive position during Operation Desert Storm.

[Gav]

I know it's not quite what the thread is about but still, it's an education in our history for some of the newbie fans.

Don't worry, I know I specified "while they were playing for us", but any of this stuff is interesting and as you say, informative for those who don't already know. I shan't get precious about my thread.

[Optimist]

Joining the recent glut for the club as a whole- JM becoming SJM.

[Fox Talbot]

Not playing for us, but played for us - Sir Alf Ramsey.

He played for Reading before or during the war. Can't be bothered to look up the dates. Surely our most decorated ex player!



I know it's not quite what the thread is about but still, it's an education in our history for some of the newbie fans.

Didn't know that. Sir Matt Busby did play in the war.

[From Despair To Where?]

Did Maurice Eddleston get any honours for services to broadcasting?

[Fox Talbot]

Did Maurice Eddleston get any honours for services to broadcasting?

Not according to wikipedia.

[Dare to Dr£am]

Not playing for us, but played for us - Sir Alf Ramsey.

He played for Reading before or during the war. Can't be bothered to look up the dates. Surely our most decorated ex player!



I know it's not quite what the thread is about but still, it's an education in our history for some of the newbie fans.

Didn't know that. Sir Matt Busby did play in the war.

I think I've muddled them up in all honesty. Sorry kids.

[Silver Fox]

I believe Dylan Kerr was some sort of Lord

[Wimb]

I believe Dylan Kerr was some sort of Lord

And wasn't Steve Coppell knighted?

[17Bus]

Though his days with Reading were long behind him, Shaka Hislop was honoured by Trinidad and Tobago.
Jimmy Hill played for the reserves a few times, again a long time before he got his OBE.
Was Les Ferdinand still on Reading's books when he got his award?

[Gav]

Was Les Ferdinand still on Reading's books when he got his award?

Gotta be honest, I completely assumed he already had his MBE because he was sooooo ooolllllllldddddd

But you're right, maybe he didn't

[Gav]

"Four days later, he signed with Reading. His contract at the club lasted until the end of the 2004–05 season."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Ferdinand


CENTRAL CHANCERY OF
THE ORDERS OF KNIGHTHOOD
St. James's Palace, London SW1
11 June 2005
The QUEEN has been graciously pleased, on the occasion of the Celebration of Her Majesty's Birthday, to signify her intention of conferring the honour of Knighthood upon the undermentioned:
Knights Bachelor
FERDINAND, Les, Footballer. For services to Sport.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/p ... _06_05.pdf


Dammit!

[Adz1871]

Did Ulises De La Cruz get any award? I seem to remember him sending some, if not most, of his wages back to Ecuador?

[Gav]

Good shout. Not that I can find though... Just a UNICEF ambassador.

Born in Piquiucho, a small village in the Valle del Chota, one of Ecuador’s poorest regions, De la Cruz set up the charity Friends of FundeCruz to fund a number of projects serving the local community, to which he donates about 10% of his salary.[14] Friends of FundeCruz is also a British registered charity.[15] At one of the Reading matches, fans were asked to donate money to his fund and he raised a few thousand pounds. Money will also be raised at the Ruta del Sol in February 2008.[16] The foundation funds amongst other things a water treatment plant, a health centre and a sports ground. He has been named a UNICEF ambassador.

What a guy