FORMER Newcastle United footballer John Beresford is getting the MBE for services to education.

The 50-year-old, from Sheffield, is being recognised for his voluntary work with the Show Racism the Red Card campaign in football.

The citation said he has been an 'inspirational role model' and has used his high profile as a professional footballer for the greater good of the community for over 20 years.

He is described as a pioneer as the first white professional footballer to work with Show Racism the Red Card (SRtRC) and goes into schools and colleges to address the subject of racism with young people in society and football.

Mr Beresford has been an ambassador for promoting the values of equality and celebrating diversity, was at SRtRC’s first school visit in 1996 and has been instrumental in its growth.

The organisation now works with over 50,000 young people a year.

The citation said: “His commitment to educate goes beyond the classroom as having seen the power professional footballers hold as role models, he played a leading role in spreading positive messages throughout the professional game and is recognised as being pivotal in increasing the number of professional footballers who now dedicate their time to tackling racism and other forms of discrimination, particularly by going into schools.”