Nottingham Forest stalwart Graham Moran has been awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.
Moran, Forest's Community Trust chief executive, has been rewarded for his service to football and the community in Nottingham.
He was first appointed community director at the club in 2008 and has led a partnership with the Trust that has included pioneering community programmes.
Projects such as the the ‘Tricky to Talk’ mental health campaign and ‘Dream Big’ - to encourage ambition and self-esteem - have made a difference to people throughout the county.
He has also overseen Framework’s initiative to end homelessness by tackling the growing problem of rough sleeping and Hope Nottingham’s food bank collection initiative, and many more.
Moran is clearly proud to be a part of something which has such an impact.
He said: “The people of Nottingham and Nottingham Forest Football Club have been important to me throughout my life and I am fortunate that I have been in a position to give something back to the city and the club. I am truly humbled to receive this honour.”
The Queen’s Birthday Honours List demonstrates the extraordinary efforts made by individuals in the United Kingdom who have put others before themselves.
Others receiving awards from The Queen from the sporting world include Roy Hodgson, Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson.
Nottingham Forest chairman Nicholas Randall QC said: “Graham is an inspiration to everybody connected with Nottingham Forest. His passion to engage and serve our local communities has positively impacted hundreds of thousands of lives across Nottinghamshire.
“For more than a decade, Graham has run countless community programmes reaching all parts of our community giving help, support and encouragement to those in need.
“As a club, we are delighted that Graham has been acknowledged in the Queen’s Birthday List and extend our heartfelt congratulations and thanks for all he has achieved on behalf of Nottingham Forest Football Club.”
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Nottingham Forest Community Trust chair of trustees Karen Frankland echoed that praise.
She said: “It has been a pleasure to work with Graham and this honour is richly deserved.
“Graham has an unbridled passion and absolute commitment to improve the lives of people in the communities of Nottinghamshire. He is a fantastic collaborator and his unassuming and selfless approach brings people together, whether that be the third parties we work with or the people he is helping with the programmes he’s delivered.
“He is a fantastic advocate for Nottingham and everybody at the Nottingham Forest Community Trust - and I’m sure all our partners and the people he has directly helped - are extremely pleased that he has received this distinction.”
