Queen's Birthday Honours: Harry Hardy, Britain's oldest referee, receives the BEM
After 3,000 games, Britain's oldest referee has been recognised on the Queen's Birthday Honours list.
Harry Hardy, from Ilkeston, Derbyshire, has received the British Empire Medal for services to football. Last year, he was given a medal by president of the FA, Prince William, to mark his commitment to football. Other honours recipients in Derbyshire include former chairman of British Wrestling Association Malcolm Morley and Macmillan nurse Anne Cawthorne. Mr Hardy, 87, said receiving the news of his honour was "marvellous". "I didn't expect it at all, I must be very lucky," he said. 'Stars of tomorrow' As a member of East Derbyshire County FA, he joined Erewash Valley Referees Society in 1960 and three years later was appointed secretary. Since then he has given 50 years of unbroken service to the society, refereeing about 3,000 matches in total. He said he had only recently gone down to officiating one game a week. He also gives his time and expertise at local school and club matches. In 2013 he was awarded an FA Carlsberg Special Award, which he received from Prince William at Buckingham Palace at a service to mark 150 years of the FA. "I think grassroots football is very important - it's where you find the stars of tomorrow," he said. Ms Cawthorne, from High Peak, has been appointed MBE for services to cancer patients in the county and Manchester, where she helped to set up a a complementary therapy centre. Mr Morley, from Chesterfield, was appointed OBE for services to wrestling.