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Tuesday, 31 December, 2002, 09:13 GMT

Football's award hat-trick

Three figures from the world of football have been named in the New Year Honours list announced on Tuesday.

Referee Hugh Dallas and Sheffield United chairman Derek Dooley have been given MBEs while Sunderland chairman Bob Murray receives a CBE.

Dallas has been recognised for his services to refereeing.

The Scot has officiated at the Olympic Games, Fifa Confederations Cup, Euro 2000, two World Cups, the 1999 Uefa Cup final and a clutch of Champions League games.

He was one of only two British referees to travel to the 2002 World Cup in Japan and Korea where he earned plaudits for his handling of the group game between Portugal and Poland.

His performance in that match led to him officiating the quarter-final between Germany and the USA and he was fourth official in the final.

" I am absolutely thrilled and delighted to receive this honour from Her Majesty The Queen "
Sunderland chairman
Bob Murray

Dallas took charge of his last European match earlier in December after reaching Fifa's official retirement age of 45.

Elsewhere in football, Sunderland chairman Bob Murray has been awarded a CBE for his services to the club and the York community in which he lives.

Murray took the helm at Roker Park in 1986 and was instrumental in the club's switch to the 42,000 all-seater Stadium of Light in 1997.

"I am absolutely thrilled and delighted to receive this honour from Her Majesty The Queen," he said.

"It is recognition, not only of my career, but also of the wonderful people of Sunderland and those in the world of football with whom I have worked for nearly 19 years."

Murray has been joined on the Honours list by Sheffield United chairman Derek Dooley who received an MBE for services to football.

Dooley playing career was cut short at the age of 23 when he was forced to have his leg amputated after injuring himself while playing for Sheffield Wednesday.

He became manager of Wednesday in 1971 before becoming commercial director of bitter enemies Sheffield United in the mid-seventies.

"I've been fortunate to spend my whole life in football and it id fair to say I could have left and gone elsewhere on more than one occasion," Dooley said.

"But I've never wanted to leave Sheffield."


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