Former Pupil David Jeffrey awarded an MBE

One of Northern Ireland's best known football managers, Jeffrey, who is currently at the helm of Ballymena United, combines his football managerial duties with a career as a social worker for the Northern Health Trust.

He has been recognised for his contribution to football and community relations in Northern Ireland and dedicated his award to his mum and dad, telling BBC Sport NI;

"I feel humbled. I have a tremendous family and am very proud for my mum and dad, who are amazing. I'm so proud that God has given me this length of time with them being around" 

"They and the rest of my family have been so supportive. I am the fortunate one who has got the award but there are many, many great people behind me."

David (58) attended Dundonald High School before transferring to Sullivan and had a spell with the Manchester United Reserves team. He returned to Northern Ireland in 1982 where he played football for Linfield, a side that he would later go on to manage successfully for almost two decades, and worked for New Mossley Presbyterian Church as a voluntary community youth worker.

He trained as a social worker in the 1990s while involved in football and told the Newsletter;

“I have always combined the two, it has made for a pretty hectic lifestyle I suppose in that it is doing two full-time jobs but I think one complements the other.

“Being in the community, that is my ultimate, helping and supporting others. I just see myself as being there to serve whether as a senior social worker, a community worker or as a football manager."

“As important as football is to me, having had another career alongside it has made it hectic but very much kept things in perspective.”