Tottenham Hotspur legend Jimmy Greaves to receive MBE for services to sport

The year 2020 hasn’t been exactly great, but at least it’s going out with something good. Today, Tottenham Hotspur announced that legendary Spurs striker Jimmy Greaves will be be joining the ranks as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to sport. Greaves was named to Queen Elizabeth II’s 2021 New Year Honors List.

The MBE is the lowest of five ranks in the Order of the British Empire, which recognizes notable English citizens for services to the crown. Members of the OBE have made notable contributions to the arts and sciences, charitable or welfare organisations, or to public service.

Greaves should be no stranger to any Tottenham Hotspur supporter, but for the newer fans among us, he’s probably the best player to ever put on a Spurs kit. He holds the record for most goals scored in Spurs history with 266 goals in 379 club appearances in all competitions. Kane, who is trying to surpass Greaves’ record, currently sits in third place with 204 goals in 310 appearances.

The 80-year old Greaves has been more or less out of the public eye after a falling out with the club that lasted over 40 years, but ended his feud in 2015 when he returned to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to be inducted into the Tottenham Hall of Fame. That same year he suffered a massive stroke that has left him wheelchair-bound.

Jimmy Greaves absolutely deserves this award, and will be inducted along with former Wolves great Ron Flowers; both Greaves and Flowers were also members of the England squad who won the 1966 World Cup on home soil. They are the last two members of that 1966 squad to receive an MBE.

Elsewhere, Formula 1 great Lewis Hamilton was also named to the MBE for services to sport.

Greaves released the following statement through Tottenham Hotspur’s website:

“I’m deeply honoured to receive this recognition for services to football from Her Majesty The Queen. Football has been my life, from the day I started kicking a ball around as a kid at home in Essex, to signing for Chelsea at 15, then to Milan, those wonderful nine years at Spurs, then West Ham and, later, my work in television and the media. There have been highs and lows, but it’s a game I will always love and will always be part of me. I’d like to dedicate this award to Irene, my family and friends. Thanks for all your love and support.”