Liverpool Ladies and England midfielder Fara Williams stunned by MBE
Thursday 31 December 2015 15:12, UK
England’s most-capped footballer Fara Williams says she could never have imagined being recognised for her contribution to the game after she was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours List.
Williams, 31, who has a made 149 international appearances - a record across both the men's and women's game - scored the all-important penalty against Germany that sealed bronze for England at the 2015 Women's World Cup in Canada.
That made Mark Sampson's side the most successful senior England team since Sir Alf Ramsey's 1966 World Cup winners and Williams is thrilled the Lionesses were able to inspire the nation in 2015.
"It's a shock that I have been honoured with an MBE," Williams told Sky Sports.
"There are so many people who have served the game so well over the years and to be among those that have already been honoured is a proud moment for my family and myself.
"It's unbelievable and certainly not something I ever thought about as a young girl growing up on an estate and playing football.
"Firstly, I never thought I'd ever play for England. To achieve what I have in the game and to be awarded an MBE is certainly not something I ever thought of.
"I have been playing now for many years," added the Liverpool Ladies midfielder, who made her international debut at the age of 17.
"I always wanted to win the Women's Premier League and it was only after we entered the age of the Women's Super League [in 2011] that I managed to win it twice with Liverpool.
"Those memories will always be with me and I think the World Cup speaks for itself with what we did for our game out in Canada, the way we captured a nation with the way we played and the passion that we showed.
"It was unbelievable for us to come back with a medal, nobody thought we could have done that before we went. Our aim when we went out there was to try and inspire the next generation of players and I think we certainly did that."
Manchester City and England Women skipper Steph Houghton, who was Team GB's top scorer at the London 2012 Olympics, was also awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours List.
"Steph has grown as a player in the last couple of years under Mark as manager," Williams said.
"For Steph to be recognised as our captain for what she has done in the game is very well deserved."
