Former England defender Paul Elliott has been awarded a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours for services to equality and diversity in football - the highest honour so far received by any player from the Premier League era.
Former England goalkeeper David James receives an MBE.
Elliott, 48, who started his career at Charlton and also played for Celtic, Chelsea and Italian side Pisa, has campaigned for years for equality in football and worked for the anti-discrimination group Kick It Out. He was also an ambassador and board member for England's unsuccessful bid for the 2018 World Cup.
Elliott, previously an MBE, said: "I am flabbergasted by this honour, and feel privileged and humbled.
"You do not set out in life to win these honours, I have just tried to make a bit of a difference and I would like to thank organisations such as Kick It Out for all the work they have done. It will be a very proud moment for me when I receive the honour."
James, who said the highlight of his career was his debut, spoke of a professional sportsman's off-pitch responsibilities.
"When a guy drives round in a £250,000 car, some kids like that and want to be a footballer to do that," he said.
"It would be wrong to put them off being a sportsman for that. But sportsmen should also appreciate the fact they are in a privileged position.
"Where they can, they should try and give something back and show a humane side.
"There are plenty of lads out there who don't get the glory but do a lot of good work."