- Legendary Mail Sport sports journalist Jeff Powell has been awarded an MBE
- The honor is a reward for 57 years as the best sports journalist of his generation
- Powell has told some of sports’ biggest stories during his career
The Ny Breaking’s Jeff Powell has been included in the New Year’s Honors list for his outstanding work as a sports writer.
Powell’s unprecedented 57-year career at the Mail, which spanned thirteen World Cups and countless world title boxing fights, earned him an MBE for his services to journalism and sport.
He was joined on the list by England lionesses Millie Bright, Lauren Hemp and Mary Earps, as well as England rugby legend Sir Bill Beaumont and Ashes cricket hero Stuart Broad.
Lord Rothermere, chairman of DMGT, which owns the Ny Breaking, praised Powell, 81, as “a great journalist and friend”. He said: “Jeff joined the Ny Breaking the year before I was born and I have been proud to work with him as a great journalist and friend during his 25 years as chairman.
‘I know my admiration for him is shared by many of the biggest names in British sport – Sir Alex Ferguson, Bryan Robson, Sir Clive Woodward, Barry McGuigan and Lennox Lewis, to name just a few.
Legendary sports journalist Jeff Powell celebrates his MBE with his wife Maria
England World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore (right) was a close friend of Powell (left), who wrote the inscription that appears on his statue outside Wembley
‘He was at the scene of both the Heysel and Hillsborough disasters, reported for the Ny Breaking and in the aftermath led the campaign to replace standing terraces with all-seater stadiums.
‘It is no exaggeration to say this was a turning point for English football.’
Powell delivered the eulogy at Sir Bobby Moore’s funeral, led the campaign to replace standing terraces after the Hillsborough and Heysel disasters, and has achieved numerous firsts in his decades at the Mail.
Paul Dacre, editor-in-chief of Associated Newspapers, said: “For Jeff to tell so many extraordinary stories while maintaining the enduring friendship of legions of legendary athletes is a testament to his many qualities as a journalist and as a human being.
“He represents sports reporting at its best.”
The 30-year-old captain of England women’s football team Bright was awarded an OBE after her side reached the final of this summer’s World Cup.
Star striker Hemp, 23, and goalkeeper Earps, 30, both also received MBEs for services to football following the campaign down under. England rugby union defense coach Kevin Sinfield, 43, was awarded a CBE along with his former Leeds Rhinos rugby league teammate Rob Burrow, 41, for services to motor neuron disease awareness.
Powell was the only British journalist invited to attend Muhammed Ali’s 70th birthday
Burrow was struck down with the disease in 2019 and the pair have since raised almost £10 million for charity, with Sinfield famously carrying his friend across the line at this year’s Leeds Marathon.
Fellow motor neuron campaigner and former Scotland rugby captain Rob Wainwright, 58, received an OBE for his work to raise money for the charity of the late Doddie Weir, who died from the disease. World Rugby Chairman and England legend Sir Bill was appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire for his services to rugby.
Other notable sporting stars include Broad, 37, who was awarded a CBE after retiring at the end of the Ashes after claiming the final wicket. Scotland rugby captain Stuart Hogg, 31, was awarded an MBE after hanging up his boots.
Ex-England goalkeeper Peter Shilton, 74, is awarded a CBE for services to football and gambling harm prevention and former McLaren Formula One supremo Ron Dennis, 76, was appointed a Knight Bachelor for services to industry and charity.
