ENGLAND manager Gareth Southgate has collected his OBE and said he is dedicating the honour to his squad.

Mr Southgate, who grew up in Crawley and went to school at Pound Hill and Hazelwick schools, said taking the job gave him a fresh perspective on what the team means to the country after he led England to its first World Cup semi-final since 1990.

The 48-year-old collected the OBE from the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace.

Mr Southgate said: “It’s a very proud moment.

“I think I’ve been involved in football for 30 years so part of me is proud for everybody who helped me through that whole period and the clubs I served, plus the coaches and teachers who helped me.

“Of course, I’m aware that the recognition is as much for last summer and the work with the team. So I’m very grateful to all of the players and all the support team who work with me, because I’m here representing them, really.”

Mr Southgate played for for Crawley Traders, and for Pound Hill and Hazelwick schools. He played professionally for Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough.

He managed Middlesbrough and in 2016, after a spell as boss of the England under-21s, he was appointed England manager.

When asked if he expected to receive an honour, he replied: “No, I think it’s a privilege to have the role and you hope to improve the team and make a difference, and we are getting better. I think along the way we’re bringing a lot of enjoyment to people, which is great, so we’ve got to make sure we keep doing that. You don’t realise how much it means to people in the country until you experience what we did and what we are experiencing now as the team continues to improve, and that is unique with a national team. You’re representing everybody and we take that responsibility very seriously, but also we want everybody to have fun and enjoy the ride as well.”

England reached their first World Cup semi-final in nearly three decades at the 2018 tournament in Russia before they were knocked out by Croatia.

The progress before their elimination sparked nationwide excitement.

Mr Southgate collected his honour a week after England striker Harry Kane, 25, was given an MBE at the Palace.

Talking about his brief exchange with Prince Charles when he was presented with the OBE, he said: “I was at an event with him a few weeks ago.

“We were talking about knife crime and how we might be able to make a difference with that, so it’s a very important area of work that he feels strongly about.”