Ballymoney’s Liam Beckett has been made an MBE in the 2018 New Years honours list for services to the voluntary sector and to Sport.
From schoolboy footballer player to sports pundit for the BBC, not forgetting his vast amount of charity work and speaking engagements, Liam has and continues to keep himself busy.
After serving an apprenticeship as a plumber, Liam went on sign for Crusaders FC at the age of just 21 where he won a premier league championship medal and Carlsberg Cup. Moving to Drogheda United where he spent two years he signed for Coleraine FC. At Coleraine Liam was involved in winning 2 Irish cups and every other senior domestic honour at that time including playing in the european Championship League on no less 6 occasions.
Not just a successful football player, Liam went on to become a successfull football manager taking Ballymoney United from near the bottom of the then B division to promotion to the 1st division in three years. Liam also managed Cliftonvill FC and Institute FC turning both their fortunes around.
As well as a successful player and manager in football, Liam also was connected to motor racing through his friendship with the Dunlops in particular Robert. Liam spent over 20 years as Roberts mechanic and friend before Roberts tragic death at the 2008 NW200. These days Liam can be found behind the microphone commentating and not in the pits at the NW200.
Outside sport Liam can be found onstage as a compare or speaker at many events and is heavily involved in charity work raising thousands.
This year Liam finished his 10th year as Ballymoney’s Black Santa, sitting out 2 weeks before Christmas. The total raised every year is split between his charities which this year are the Drop in Ministries, St Vincent de Paul, The Samaritans, The Salvation Army and CAN.
Liam had many visitors over the two weeks including former NI footballer John O’Neill, his broadcast partner in the BBC Joel Taggart and NI boxer Carl Frampton who caused quite a stir in Ballymoney.
From everyone at FUSE FM Ballymoney we would like to congratulate Liam on his MBE. FUSE FM Ballymoney hopes to have a chat with Liam in the next few weeks so stay tuned to the radio on 107.5FM or online.
A full list of the NI 2018 New Years Honours list can be found below:
Knighthoods
Sir,Dr William Thompson Wright CBE, Founder, Wrightbus Ltd. For services to the Economy and the Bus Industry
Companions of the Order of the Bath
CB, Mr Nicholas Proctor Perry, For services to the Criminal Justice System in Northern Ireland
Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
CBE, Professor, Norman David Black, For services to Higher Education, Science and the Voluntary Sector
CBE, Professor, Richard Ludlow English, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Professor of Politics, Queen’s University Belfast. For services to the Understanding of Modern Day Terrorism and Political History
CBE, Mr, Andrew Melvin, Hamilton, For services to Government and to charitable fundraising
Officers of the Order of the British Empire
OBE, Mr, David Alexander Canning, For services to Children, Young People and Education
OBE, Mr, Robert John (Jack) Dobson, Group Executive Director, Dunbia (NI) Ltd and Consultant, Cranswick (Ballymena) Ltd. For services to Economic Development in Northern Ireland
OBE, Ms, Ellvena Graham, Chair Northern Ireland Economic Advisory Group. For services to the Economy and the Advancement of Women in Business
OBE, Mr, Eamonn Holmes, For services to Broadcasting
OBE, Mrs, Olive Mary Maybin, Lately Strategic Policy Adviser to the Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service. For public service
OBE, Mrs, Grace Foster Nesbitt, Head, Pensions Division, Department of Finance, Northern Ireland Executive. For services to Government in Northern Ireland and for voluntary and charitable services
OBE, Mr, William John Priestly, For services to Criminal Justice
OBE, Mrs, Rhona Mary Quinn, For services to the Construction Industry and the community in Northern Ireland
Members of the Order of the British Empire
MBE, Mrs, Elizabeth Rachel Atkinson, Cancer Specialist Nurse, Cancer Focus Northern Ireland. For services to Cancer Patients and their Families
MBE, Mr, Philip Andrew Batt, For services to Community Safety in Northern Ireland
MBE, Mr, William Alexander Beckett, For services to the voluntary sector and to Sport
MBE, Mr, Robert George Black, Northern Ireland District Chairman, Royal British Legion. For services to ex-Service Personnel and their Families
MBE, Ms, Jayne Brady, For services to Economic Development in Northern Ireland
MBE, Mrs, Cynthia Louise Hart Cherry J.P. , For services to the community and Charitable Fundraising in Northern Ireland
MBE, Mrs, Mary Barbara Collen, Volunteer, Young Witness Service, NSPCC. For services to Children and Young People in Northern Ireland
MBE, Mr, George Edward Colligan, For services to the Museums Sector
MBE, Ms, Christine Rosemary Collins, Member, Northern Ireland Rare Disease Partnership. For services to People with Rare Diseases
MBE, Mr, Michael John Doherty, For services to Community Cohesion in Northern Ireland
MBE, Mr, Michael William Graham, Lately Constable, Police Service of Northern Ireland. For services to Policing and the community of Northern Ireland
MBE, Ms, Ruth Graham, For services to Disabled and Bereaved Children in Northern Ireland
MBE, Mrs, Florence Harper, For services to Cardiology in County Tyrone
MBE, Dr, Jonathan Heggarty, Director of Curriculum, Belfast Metropolitan College. For services to Further Education in Northern Ireland
MBE, Mr, Kenneth Malcolm Hewitt, For services to Cross Community Relations in Londonderry
MBE, Mr, John Martin Hughes, Managing Director, Ryobi Aluminium Castings (UK). For services to Economic Development in Northern Ireland
MBE, Mrs, Elizabeth Anne Johnston, For voluntary service to the community in Donaghadee, County Down
MBE, Haji, Mohammad Yaqub Joya, For services to the Army and the Muslim community in Northern Ireland
MBE, Ms, Ivy Agnes Lee, For services to Girlguiding in Northern Ireland
MBE, Mrs, Margaret Patricia Martin, For voluntary service to Road Safety in Northern Ireland
MBE, Ms, Linda Jane Mcauley, Presenter, BBC Radio Ulster. For services to Consumers in Northern Ireland
MBE, Mr, Thomas Adrian Mcauley, For services to First Aid and Healthcare in Northern Ireland
MBE, Mr, Thomas Celestine Mcbride, Head, Department for Business Services, South West College. For services to Further Education in Northern Ireland
MBE, Mrs, Hazel Roberta Mccready, For services to Disabled ex-Police Officers in Northern Ireland
MBE, Detective Constable , Garry Millar, Police Service of Northern Ireland. For services to Policing and the community in Northern Ireland
MBE, Mr, Henry Joseph Moore T.D., For services in support of the Northern Ireland peace process
MBE, Mrs, Sandra Moore, Chief Executive Officer, Welcome Organisation. For services to Tackling Homelessness
MBE, Mr, Michael Cecil Moss, For services to Golf, Tourism and charity in Northern Ireland
MBE, Ms, Alison Moth, For services to Education in Northern Ireland
MBE, Mr, Kenneth John Nelson, Chief Executive Officer, LEDCOM. For services to Economic Development and the Voluntary Sector
MBE, Mr, David George Openshaw, For services to Music to Northern Ireland
MBE, Professor, Gerard Patrick Parr, For services to Developing Telecoms Infrastructure in Northern Ireland
MBE, Mr, Stephen Philip Prenter, For services to the Arts, Business and Education
MBE, Mrs, Margaret Ann Shields, Administrative Assistant, Ministry of Defence. For services to Defence
MBE, Mr, Jeffrey Douglas Reginald Smith, Founder, Ards Peninsula First Responders Group. For services to Health in Northern Ireland
MBE, Ms, Anne Amelia Manson Wallace, Senior Personal Secretary, Department for Communities, Northern Ireland Executive. For services to the Northern Ireland Civil Service
MBE, Miss, Verena Lesley Wallace, Midwife. For services to Midwifery in Northern Ireland
MBE, Mr, William John Allen Watson, For services to Cycling
MBE, Ms, Jacqueline Frances Williamson, Founder, Kinship Care Northern Ireland. For services to Carers and Children in Northern Ireland
Medallist of the Order of the British Empire
BEM, Mr, Thomas Allen, For services to the community in Donemana, County Tyrone
BEM, Mr, Peter Baillie, Senior Executive Officer, Ministry of Defence. For services to Defence and the Veterans
BEM, Mr, Jack Alexander Erwin Beattie, For services to the Development of Sport in Lisburn, Northern Ireland
BEM, Mr, James Bell, For services to the Farming Community in Northern Ireland
BEM, Mrs, Margaret Cahoon, Learning Support Assistant, Knockloughrim Primary School, Magherafelt. For services to Education in Northern Ireland
BEM, Mrs, Gayle Luett Carson, Administrator, Northern Ireland Custody Visitor Scheme. For services to Prisoner Welfare and charity in Northern Ireland
BEM, Mr, Samuel Frederick Erskine (Ricky) Caruth, For services to Rowing in Northern Ireland
BEM, Mr, Stephen Chapman, For services to Music in Northern Ireland
BEM, Mr, Jonathan Victor Cooke, For services to Cross Community Relations through Sport in Northern Ireland
BEM, Mrs, Dawn Ruth Davis, Northern Ireland Environment Agency. For voluntary services through the Samaritans
BEM, Mrs, Elizabeth Gabrielle , Deans, For voluntary service to the Western Health and Social Care Trust, Northern Ireland
BEM, Watch Commander , David Denvir, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service. For services to Fire Safety in Northern Ireland
BEM, Mrs, Theresa Mary Douglas, For services to the community in Northern Ireland
BEM, Mrs, Hazel Valerie Drummond, For services to Music in Northern Ireland
BEM, Mr, Thomas Wallace Elder, For services to the community in Ahoghill, County Antrim
BEM, Mr, James Andrew Emery, For voluntary service to the Boys’ Brigade and the community in County Tyrone
BEM, Mr, Robert Fisher, For services to the Northern Ireland Prison Service Pipes and Drums Band
BEM, Mr, William James Keith Fleming, For services to Young People through the Church Lads’ and Church Girls’ Brigades and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme
BEM, Mrs, Mary Bernadette Glass, For services to Nursing and the community in the Causeway Area, Northern Ireland
BEM, Mr, Philip Colin Kyle, For services to Young People and the community in Northern Ireland
BEM, Mr, John Madden, Principal, Roddensvale School. For services to the community in Larne, County Antrim
BEM, Mr, Norman Mawhinney, For services to Running and the community in Comber, County Down
BEM, Mrs, Margaret Patricia Mcdonald, For services to Young People through the Dunmurry Girls’ Brigade and to the community in Lisburn, Northern Ireland
BEM, Mrs, Barbara Mckinley, Company Secretary, Ulster Orchestra. For services to Culture in Northern Ireland
BEM, Mrs, Selma Anne Mcmullan, For services to Young People through the Girls’ Brigade in Ballycastle, County Antrim
BEM, Mrs, Jeanette Mcmurray, Police Staff, Police Service of Northern Ireland. For services to Policing and the community in Northern Ireland
BEM, Mrs, Iris Phoebe Mcswigin, For services to charity and Community Relations in Fivemiletown, County Tyrone
BEM, Miss, Lucia Quinney Mee, For services to Promoting Public Awareness about Organ Donation
BEM, Mr, William David Alexander Mitchell, For services to the community in County Down
BEM, Mrs, Rachel Morrison, For services to the community in Portstewart, County Londonderry
BEM, Mr, Peter Francis Mulligan, For services to Archery and the Arts in Northern Ireland
BEM, Mrs, Elizabeth Mary (Elma) Nelson, For services to the community in Maguiresbridge, County Fermanagh
BEM, Mr, Ernest O’hara, For services to Agriculture and the community in Northern Ireland
BEM, Mrs, Rebekah Mary Olphert, Founder and Artistic Director, Ballymena Chamber Orchestra. For services to Music
BEM, Mr, Hugh Raymond Phillips, For services to Gymnastics
BEM, Mrs, Avril Pollock, For services to the community in Strabane, County Tyrone
BEM, Mr, Samuel Pollock, For services to the community in Northern Ireland
BEM, Mr, Patrick Joseph Prunty, For services to the Lough Neagh Rescue Service
BEM, Mr, Robert Ramsey, For services to Schools and Youth Football in Northern Ireland
BEM, Mrs, Mary Gertrude Robinson, For services to Nursing
BEM, Mr, Robert John Savage, Caretaker, Southern Regional College, Greenbank Campus. For services to Further Education in Northern Ireland
BEM, Mr, Thomas Richard Scott, For voluntary service to the Ulster Special Constabulary Association
BEM, Mr, Daryl Jon Simpson, For services to Community Relations and Peace and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland
BEM, Mrs, Amy Margaret Smyton, For services to Local Government and the community in Omagh, County Tyrone
BEM, Miss, Susan Spence, For voluntary service to Rugby
BEM, Mrs, Eileen Thelma Strange, For voluntary service to The Seven Towers Male Voice Choir
BEM, Mr, Robert James Hamilton Thornberry, For services to Young People through the Boys’ Brigade in Northern Ireland
BEM, Mrs, Lillian Thornton, For services to Local Government and the community in County Fermanagh
BEM, Mr, John Samuel Wilson, For services to the community in Newtownstewart, County Tyrone
Queen’s Police Medal (QPM)
QPM, Superintendent , Alywin John Barton, Police Service of Northern Ireland
QPM, Detective Inspector , Jeremy Thomas Mcfarland, Police Service of Northern Ireland
