David Moyes' dad reveals pride at his son's OBE that comes on the back of his own MBE – and an Icelandic knighthood

Scottish Sun

16-06-2025

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EVERTON manager David Moyes picked up an OBE at Windsor Castle last week.
And when he received his award from Prince William he was maintaining a family tradition.
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David Moyes poses with his OBE
Credit: AP
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He was given the honour by Prince William
Credit: PA
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David Moyes Snr has been recognised both in the UK and in Iceland
Credit: Willie Vass - The Sun Glasgow
Because dad David senior was awarded an MBE in 2000 - as well a knighthood from the Icelandic government!
Moyes senior was a guest of the Icelandic FA at last weekend's Hampden friendly against Scotland, where he was given another presentation salver by the country grateful for his help in establishing them as a footballing nation.
Moyes snr. may be 89 years old but he has a hectic lifestyle that would exhaust a man half his age.
In the past few weeks he's been at Everton's final match at Goodison Park against Southampton.
Days later he was down south again to a Park Lane hotel to see son David - already a three-time Manager of the Year - inducted into the League Managers' Association's elite 1000-game Club.
That was followed by a family trip to Windsor Castle last week where Everton boss Moyes was presented with an O.B.E. for services to football.
Moyes senior told Sunsport: 'Everywhere I've gone recently, I was getting a glass of champagne stuck in my hand.
'I don't even like the stuff. I'd rather have a whisky!
'The trip down for David to get his OBE was a proud moment.
'You only get four invitations and he obviously took his wife Pamela and his children David and Lauren.
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'His brother Kenneth and I were down with them and it was a great experience.
'When I got mine I was supposed to get it from The Queen at Buckingham Palace but she was ill so it was Prince Charles, as he was then.
'David was due to get his from King Charles but it was actually Prince William.
'The people at Windsor Castle said it was already rare for a father and son to get an honour but it would've been even more rare for them to be presented by the same member of the Royal Family.
'They asked me to bring my MBE own with me so they could get photos of us all together.
'And we were told that Prince William spent longer speaking to David than a lot of other people because he's obviously a big Aston Villa supporter, so that was nice.
'Back when I got mine, you were lined up to receive your honour in alphabetical order. I had Lulu in front of me and Michael Parkinson behind me!'
Moyes' plush flat in Glasgow's West End is full of football mementoes from a long life in the game.
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David Moyes Snr with Iceland shirts gifted to him on his 80th birthday
Credit: Willie Vass - The Sun Glasgow
He was presented with the Knight of the Falcon - the equivalent of an Icelandic knighthood - for services to football on the island.
He's also the only non-Icelander to be given an FA gold medal - normally reserved for players who have reached 50 caps.
Moyes worked at juvenile outfit Drumchapel Amateurs for 29 years, where his links with Iceland were forged.
He said: 'Every time I see Sir Alex Ferguson we end up talking about Drumchapel because he started out there.
'We played in a tournament in Austria in the early 60s and there was an Icelandic team there.
'We invited them to Scotland and they sailed from Reykjavik to Leith.
'I used to go across a lot and sent coaches and players.
'The Icelandic FA were kind enough to put me forward for a Knight of the Falcon - their knighthood - for services to football in Iceland in 1989.
'When I went over for the ceremony to receive it there were banners saying, 'Welcome Sir David'!
'I knew all the best Icelandic players. I was a scout for Rangers for 15 years and I brought the manager against Scotland at Hampden last week, Arnar Gunnlaugsson, over to Ibrox when he was 14.
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David Moyes Snr with David Moyes in the late 70s with Drumchapel United's trophies
Credit: Willie Vass - The Sun Glasgow
'He was one of twins - his brother Bjarki was also an international player.
'They came from an amazing street in the town of Akranes.
'There were six houses in the street. The brothers lived in one, Siggi Jonsson's family lived in another. He went on to play for Sheffield Wednesday and is regarded as one of the best Icelandic players of all time.
'Siggi played for Rangers in a youth tournament in Dusseldorf. Barcelona beat Rangers in the final but Siggi was voted Player of the Tournament - and wouldn't accept it because Rangers hadn't won!
'And further along the street in Akranes was where Petur Petursson's family lived. Petur played in Rangers' youth system but signed for Feyenoord instead.'
Moyes is now looking forward to Drumchapel Amateurs' 75th anniversary celebrations this October and more trips to watch his son's side in action.
He said: 'I go all over to see his teams, I always have. Even when he was in Spain at Real Sociedad I went over regularly.
'When West Ham reached the Europa Conference League Final in 2023 they played 15 ties and I only missed one of them - the first one, against Viborg in Denmark.
'Football keeps me active - on one trip down to London recently I walked 10.2 miles in one day.
'I've still lots of referees to shout at and loads of games to go to!'
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