Under-19s coach Mo Marley had cause for celebration after being awarded the MBE.

England Women’s Under-19s coach Mo Marley has cause for celebration after being awarded the MBE.

The 38 year-old former Everton and England captain, now manager of the Toffees as well as coach to the national Under-19 side, was named in the Queen’s birthday honours in recognition of her work in the development of girls’ football in the Merseyside area.

Surprised but delighted to receive the award, Marley told TheFA.com: "I was shocked when I got the letter telling me I’d been nominated for the award and to be honest, it still has quite sunk in.

"But it’s a great honour and great for women’s and girls’ football - the award is in my name but it recognises the contribution that so many people have made to the game and hopefully it will help raise the profile that little bit more."

The ex-central defender, who skippered England at Euro 2001 and has been part of National Coach Hope Powell’s scouting team at the Women’s Euro 2005, is set to manage her young England side at the forthcoming UEFA Under-19 European Championship finals in Hungary.

"The girls are really looking forward to the tournament," said Marley, "and they’ll have been boosted by watching the tremendous performances of the senior team at the Women’s Euro 2005.

"I felt we were unfortunate not to go through to the semi-finals, but we showed we are now very close to the best teams in Europe and hopefully the Under-19’s will show all the qualities we have in the squad when we get to Hungary."