Beckham honoured to receive Legend of Football award

Man Utd legend to be recognised at fundraising event for music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins

David Beckham will join the roll of honour of footballers to receive the Legend of Football Award at the 20th anniversary HMV Football Extravaganza held in aid of Nordoff Robbins, the music therapy charity.

The Premier League is a long-term supporter of the Football Extravaganza, which has raised nearly £7million for Nordoff Robbins. The funds help to provide tens of thousands of music therapy sessions for some of the United Kingdom's most isolated and vulnerable people.

Beckham won six Barclays Premier League titles in nine seasons with Manchester United, as well as scoring some classic goals.  In receiving the Legend of Football Award, which recognises outstanding achievement in the world of football and contribution to the game, Beckham will join football legends such as John Charles, Sir Stanley Matthews, Jose Mourinho, Alan Shearer and Beckham's former team-mate Ryan Giggs, who picked the award up last year.

"I'm incredibly honoured to be receiving this award," Beckham said. "When you look at the list of the previous recipients, I feel very fortunate to be considered alongside them. More importantly the night is about recognising the fantastic work that Nordoff Robbins does and raising funds for their vital work."

After leaving United in the summer of 2003, Beckham became the first English player to win four domestic titles in four countries – England (Manchester United), Spain (Real Madrid), the United States (LA Galaxy) and France (Paris Saint-Germain) before retiring at the end of the 2012/13 season.

Premier League Chief Executive Richard Scudamore said: "The Football Extravaganza is one of the best events of its type, raising important funds for Nordoff Robbins to continue their exceptional work. David Beckham remains one of the Premier League's most iconic figures and played during an incredible era for Manchester United and the League. David's profile will certainly add magic to the 20th Football Extravaganza which the Premier League is proud to support."

As well as being the 20th time the event will have been held, the extravaganza on 1 September at The Grosvenor House Hotel, London, will also mark the start of Nordoff Robbins’ celebrations for their 40th birthday in the summer of 2015.

"We are absolutely thrilled that David Beckham has accepted our prestigious Legend of Football Award," Brian McLaughlin, chairman of The HMV Football Extravaganza and Nordoff Robbins governor said. "David is, without doubt, one of the world's footballing greats and I am delighted he will be joining us. 

"We have had many great nights since this event began and been joined by some exceptional football personalities. With David Beckham on our team it guarantees this tremendous tradition will be upheld on the occasion of our 20th Anniversary."