Birthday Honours awards for Hayes and McGrath

Chelsea Ladies manager Emma Hayes has been made an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list, while former QPR director Kevin McGrath has been made an OBE. 

Hayes, who led her team to the Women’s Super League and Women’s FA Cup Double in 2015, receives the accolade for services to football.

“It came as a great surprise to receive an MBE and it is a true honour for me and my family,” she said.

“I would like to thank everyone who has worked with me throughout my career, as without their support I would not have achieved the success I have to date and I would not be receiving accolades like this.

“In particular I would like to thank my mum and dad and my entire family as they have supported me through thick and thin and have made this achievement possible.”

The 39-year-old Londoner became Chelsea Ladies manager in June 2012 – 11 years after becoming the youngest head coach in the American W-League’s history when she took charge of Long Island Lady Riders.

She returned to England in 2006, becoming assistant first-team coach at Arsenal Ladies, before another spell in the United States.

Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck said: “On behalf of everybody at Chelsea Football Club, I would like to congratulate Emma on this fantastic honour.

“It is richly deserved and testament to many years of hard work and dedication. Emma is a pioneer for the ladies’ game and a superb role model.

“We are very proud of her achievements with us over the past four years and long may it continue.”

McGrath is a lifelong QPR fan who was a member of the club’s board before he and the then chairman Bill Power were ousted in 2005 in a boardroom coup that led to Gianni Paladini taking control.

The 53-year-old, who lives in Ealing and grew up in Shepherd’s Bush, co-founded The Click Charity – a series of prisons restaurants staffed by inmates.

He has been involved in a number of other projects, including the QPR Ladies football team.

McGrath is the vice-chairman of the QPR in the Community Trust and was chairman of the Lyric theatre in Hammersmith.