Preston’s Stephen Daley has been recognised for his years of service to partially-sighted football
Stephen Daley, a leading light in partially-sighted football, received an MBE in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to para football and futsal.
The Partially Sighted Football League (PSFL) is one of our regular beneficiaries and Daley has been a significant figure for many years, retiring recently after winning 143 England caps.
“Stephen started in the PSFL in the 90s and has since developed into such an inspirational player to so many people within the game,” says George Ferguson, chairman of the PSFL. “He also has a very personable manner and a wonderful sense of humour that makes him even more approachable and likeable. I am certain that the England partially-sighted squad will benefit immensely from having him as head coach.”
Daley, who is based in Preston, helped England to back-to-back World Cup finals in 2017 and 2019 before retiring to focus on his coaching. He succeeds Ian Bateman with the European Championship on the horizon in December this year and a
World Cup on home soil in Birmingham due in 2023.
The Queen’s Birthday Honours announcements were delayed from June until October last year because of the pandemic so Daley had a lengthy period of enforced silence.
“I first found out about it way back in June, and I’ve had to keep it quiet – the kids didn’t even know!” he told the Football Association’s website.