Londoner Aslie Pitter, 50, was recognised for helping to tackle homophobia after setting up London-based Stonewall FC almost 20 years ago.

He told the BBC it was nerve-racking being one of the first openly gay teams to "put our heads on the block" and start playing Sunday football.

But he said the team had barely received any abuse over the decades.

Mr Pitter, who lives in Balham, south London, now manages Stonewall FC's second team.

He said: "Being black and being gay I thought I might come in for a lot of stick.

"In our first game we were sharing a communal shower with seven other teams and I was pretty nervous.

"But it has never really been a problem."

Unfortunately Mr Pitter's father died only days before the announcement.

He said: "It is a shame neither of my parents were around to see it."

Stonewall FC chairman Liam Jarnecki said: "Aslie is a wonderful guy. People like him are the salt of the earth and the lifeblood of grassroots football.

"We're all overjoyed for him."