DAVID BECKHAM has joined an exclusive club after becoming the latest British football star to receive a knighthood.
Golden Balls will officially arise as Sir Becks after SunSport exclusively revealed he will be knighted in the King’s Birthday Honours next week.
David Beckham will join an exclusive list of British football stars when he is knightedGetty
Sir Gareth Southgate was the most recent to be honoured earlier this yearPA
Sir Alex Ferguson was knighted when he led Man Utd to the Treble in 1999PA:Press Association
AFPSir Bobby Robson received his award in 2002[/caption]
Beckham, 50, has long yearned for a knighthood after his services to the beautiful game.
And Spice Girl wife Victoria will benefit by becoming Lady Beckham.
Former Manchester United star Becks, who played 115 times for England and has made major contributions to charity, has struck up a firm friendship with King Charles.
He will now join an exclusive group of other British football personalities to receive royal knighthoods.
But just 16 names are already on the list.
The first was Sir Charles Clegg, who received his award in 1927 after both playing for England and later serving as chairman and president of the FA.
He was followed by Sir Stanley Rous in 1949, a former referee who was also the sixth president of FIFA.
England legend Sir Stanley Matthews next received one in 1965 while still being an active player, having become the first person to win the European Footballer of the Year award.
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World Cup-winning manager Sir Alf Ramsey then got his in 1967, a year after leading the Three Lions to glory against West Germany.
And in 1968 it was the turn of Man United icon Sir Matt Busby, the first manager of an English team to win the European Cup.
News Group Newspapers LtdSir Matt Busby was given his knighthood in 1968[/caption]
News Group Newspapers LtdSunSport exclusively revealed Sir Tom Finney’s award in 1998[/caption]
Sir Geoff Hurst got his award in 1998PA:Press Association
Fast forward 10 years later and Sir Walter Winterbottom was the next to receive a knighthood after becoming the first-ever England gaffer in 1946.
Sir Bert Millichip then got one in 1991 after his time as chairman of the FA.
Three years later it was Sir Bobby Charlton’s turn, having previously been award a CBE and an OBE.
In 1998, both Sir Geoff Hurst and Sir Tom Finney were knighted by the Queen – with news of the latter’s honour exclusively revealed by SunSport.
And one year later Sir Alex Ferguson received his after leading Man United to the Treble.
AlamySir Trevor Brooking was knighted in 2004[/caption]
Sir Kenny Dalglish received his title in 2018PA
AP:Associated PressBrazil legend Pele was given an honorary knighthood in 1997[/caption]
Newcastle legend Sir Bobby Robson was then knighted in 2002 thanks to his iconic career in the dugout.
Sir Trevor Brooking followed two years later, with Sir Dave Richards honoured in 2006.
Sir Kenny Dalglish then became the next 12 years later in 2018 thanks to his brilliant time with Liverpool as both boss and player.
And in January, Sir Gareth Southgate was awarded for leading England for successive second-place finishes at the European Championships.
Now, it’s Beckham’s turn to take his place among the pantheon of British football legends.
But an additional knighthood has also been given to a non-Brit, with the late Brazilian legend Pele receiving an honorary one in 1997.
Full list of British football knighthoods
Sir Charles Clegg, 1927
Sir Stanley Rous, 1949
Sir Stanley Matthews, 1965
Sir Alf Ramsey, 1967
Sir Matt Busby, 1968
Sir Walter Winterbottom, 1978
Sir Bert Millichip, 1991
Sir Bobby Charlton, 1994
Sir Tom Finney, 1998
Sir Geoff Hurst, 1998
Sir Alex Ferguson, 1999
Sir Bobby Robson, 2002
Sir Trevor Brooking, 2004
Sir Dave Richards, 2006
Sir Kenny Dalglish, 2018
Sir Gareth Southgate, 2025
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