White honoured by UK

Arsenal LFC and England women's captain Faye White has been honoured by the United Kingdom in being made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the New Year's honours list.

Key figure
Central defender White, 28, began her career a decade ago at Arsenal, becoming a key figure in their current domination of the English domestic game - she has won six league titles and five FA Women's Cups. White made her international debut in 1998 against France, became captain in 2002 and led England at UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ on home soil, later winning her 50th cap. A cruciate ligament injury suffered in the summer means she missed Arsenal's run to the UEFA Women's Cup final - where they will play Umeå IK over two legs next April - and the latter stages of England's qualification for the FIFA Women's World Cup, but she hopes to be back soon. She works for Arsenal's community department.

'Quite a shock'
White told TheFA.com: "I'm naturally very proud but it does feel a little strange as all my previous achievements in football have been as part of a team. When I received the letter from the prime minister it was quite a shock, although my grandad nearly fell over when he read it. By April I hope to be back fit and would love to play some part in Arsenal's first ever UEFA Women's Cup final, and then the big goal for any female player in the country is to try and book a place on the plane for the World Cup in China in September.

'Very proud'
"A lot of people have played a big role in me receiving this award, and through the development work I do for Arsenal's community team, I just want to encourage as many young girls to have a go, whatever their ability. When I first started playing as a kid in Horsham, I never dreamed I would win medals, trophies and England caps, let alone an award like this; I feel very proud."