SOUTHAMPTON'S head of women's football Sue Lopez has received one of the game's top accolades - being voted into the National Football Museum Hall of Fame.
Lopez will receive the accolade at a ceremony at The Hall of Fame Charity Gala dinner on November 4 at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton.
Among the male recipients that evening will be former Saints and England striker Alan Shearer, Tony Adams, Sir Geoff Hurst, Billy Bremner and Roy Keane.
The Hall of Fame was established to recognise players and managers who have made an outstanding and lasting contribution to English Football throughout their careers.
The selection panel includes world famous stars such as Sir Bobby Robson, Sir Bobby Charlton, Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Tom Finney and Sir Trevor Brooking.
Former recipients include the likes of George Best, Tom Finney, Paul Gasgoigne, Eric Cantona and Bobby Moore.
Three former Saints have also been honoured - Kevin Keegan, Peter Shilton and Alan Ball.
Managerial legends such as Sir Matt Busby, Sir Alf Ramsey and Brian Clough have also been inducted into the Preston-based NFM Hall of Fame.
Only two other women have been inducted - Lily Parr and current England women's manager Hope Powell.
Lopez said: "I feel very proud and honoured to receive such an accolade.
"For a woman to be recognised by such illustrious football men, too, is something I respect and appreciate very much. When I heard that Alan Shearer was a recipient too, I couldn't believe I'd be alongside such a famous Saint who I watched an admired.
"When you look at the former recipients, and the selection panel, you realise they are all legends! So it's an unbelievable honour.
"I am grateful for the support of so many wonderful people in football who have helped me along the way, especially people at Saints such as Ted Bates, Lawrie McMenemy and Rupert Lowe."
Lopez has been associated with women's football in Southampton since 1966 - she was a founder member and player for the most successful women's FA Cup team, Southampton WFC. The team won the trophy eight times and came runners up twice between 1971-1981. During that time, Lopez won 22 England caps before becoming the first FA Advanced Licence coach in 1992. She went on to coach the Welsh women's national team before becoming the Hampshire FA's Coaching and Development Officer for four years. In 2001, Lopez joined Saints where she is the Director of the Girls Centre of Excellence, Director of Saints' Young Women's Academy and boss of Southampton Saints women's team.
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