Among the hundreds of players who have graced the game of football in England in recent years it would be hard to imagine two more contrasting characters than Stuart Pearce and Trevor Brooking.

Pearce is the man they call Psycho. Whole-hearted, committed, and a one-off in the modern game.

Meanwhile, Pearce's former Nottingham Forest manager Brian Clough once said of Brooking, "he floats like a butterfly, and he stings like one".

The former West Ham and England midfielder was a graceful player, and unlike Pearce his efforts did not trouble referees or opposing players' physios.

It is a recognition of the wide variety of people in the game that both should receive royal approval for their efforts in the New Year honours list.

Future success

Pearce receives an MBE, while Brooking gets a CBE for his role as vice-chairman of the Sports Council, spending £800m of public money on the UK's sporting future.

"It is a special honour," said Brooking. "I was awarded the MBE in 1981 and that was related to football whereas this one is linked to my role on the Sports Council.

"As a vice-chairman of the Sports Council I am a co-chairman of the Lottery Sports Fund - that is going to have the biggest impact on sport because of the type of funding it has given us."

More high profile among his current duties is his work with the BBC on Match of the Day and Radio 5 Live.

It is here that his laid-back style of analysis has won a place in the affections of many football fans, and it provides a stark contract to abrasive partner Alan Hansen.

Psycho punk

Even so, it is perhaps not quite as stark a contrast as with Newcastle defender Pearce, formerly of Wealdstone, Coventry and Nottingham Forest.

It was with Clough that the former electrician made his name as a left-back, although Pearce recently revealed that the wily manager was less impressed when he asked his new signing to fix a broken toaster.

Psycho Pearce in action for England

Pearce told the veteran to go and buy a new one because his labour rates would make it more expensive to repair!

He is also well-known as a rare punk rock fan among the bland musical tastes of most footballers, and he even took time out to introduce the Sex Pistols on stage during the Euro 96 tournament.

It is this image that has won the 36-year-old affection with football fans, as well as his no-nonsense style and of course two famous penalty kicks for his country.

One, missed in the 1990 World Cup clearly haunted him for six years.

Because when he almost broke a Wembley goalnet with another during Euro 96, the display of emotion was as powerful as anything seen at the great stadium.

Brush with death

This accolade also provides a happy ending to a year that saw the popular 36-year-old endure a terrifying incident.

On 5 August, Pearce walked virtually unscathed from the wreckage of his car, with experts claiming it was a "miracle" he survived the crash.

"I am delighted," said Pearce, who was visibly moved by the news of his MBE despite his normally ice-cool exterior.

"What more can I say, it is a great honour. I am very pleased for both myself and my family to receive this recognition of my services to football. I am also delighted to see football recognised in this fashion.

"It has been quite a year for me and this just caps it."