Every member of England’s victorious Lionesses football team are to be awarded gongs in the New Year’s Honours list.
Plans are well advanced for the triumphant side to share a clutch of CBEs, OBEs and MBEs while Dutch manager Sarina Wiegman is likely to be made an honorary dame.
There was disappointment when the Lionesses were not honoured with a visit to Downing Street after beating Germany 2-1 in the UEFA women’s championship final on July 31.
They are the first England football team to win a major international tournament since the men’s team beat the same opposition at Wembley in 1966.
Calls for an open-top bus parade and a bank holiday were also snubbed.
But a Whitehall source last night told the Sunday People : “The process of honours is well under way. It’s a no-brainer really – there’s no-one that can have an objection to honours for the team and it’s going to happen.”
More than 20 million watched on TV as Ella Toone came off the bench to put England ahead in the 62nd minute before fellow sub Chloe Kelly scored the winner in the 110th minute of extra time. It is understood Kelly, 24, captain Leah Williamson, 25, and golden boot and player of the tournament winner Beth Mead, 27, could be handed CBEs or OBEs, with other players expected to receive MBEs.
Veteran midfielder Jill Scott, 35, who was awarded an MBE in recognition of her service to women’s football in the Queen’s 2020 New Year Honours list, could also have her honour upgraded. Tory leadership rivals Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak have both pledged to host a reception for the Lionesses at No10 when one of them is chosen to be the next PM.
Ms Truss has also promised to ensure the team are recognised for their historic victory in a suitable way.
A spokesman for the Truss campaign said: “The Lionesses have been an inspiration to our nation. Liz will host a reception in No10 if she is prime minister in September and her government would ensure the Lionesses are recognised for their historic victory in a suitable way.”
Earlier this month a spokesman for Boris Johnson said the Prime Minister definitely supports them in getting the recognition they rightly deserve.
Asked if the team could be up for damehoods, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said there was a process to follow but added: “Clearly the public want to see them receive recognition.”
Earlier this month, England legend Ian Wright said: “I think that when the cricket team won the world cup they were all given MBEs. They should be thinking about that now for the women. This team deserves every accolade, everything that can be bestowed upon them.”
Labour called on the Government to ensure all the Lionesses feature in the New Years’ Honours.
Every player in the 1966 World Cup final was appointed an MBE. Jack Charlton, Gordon Banks, and captain Bobby Moore also got an OBE and manager Alf Ramsey was knighted.
