Former Table Tennis England CEO Adrian Christy says he is overwhelmed and humbled by being made an MBE in the New Year Honours list.

Adrian, who retired from his role earlier this month, receives the award for services to table tennis. It comes after a long career in sports administration.

He is joined in the list by 69-year-old Colin Woodford, a table tennis player from Grimsby, who receives the British Empire Medal for services to Disabled People.

Adrian said: “I am incredibly humbled and honoured to have been awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours list.

“It has been a privilege to work in sport for over 30 years; something I have truly loved and will always be passionate about. To be recognised for my contribution is overwhelming.

“I want to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been part of this journey – friends, colleagues, mentors and partners who have inspired and supported me along the way. I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to a sector that has given me so much.

“A special thank you goes to my family, whose support and unwavering encouragement has been my foundation every step of the way. This recognition is as much theirs as it is mine.”

Everyone at Table Tennis England extends their congratulations to Adrian.

Find out more about Adrian’s career in the Time Out feature below, recorded just before he retired.

Colin Woodford, who has Cerebral Palsy and uses a wheelchair, was a founder of the North East Lincolnshire Disability Sports Forum more than 25 years ago and remains actively involved as the group’s Chairman.

He told Lincolnshire Live: “I was shocked when I received the letter in the post, obviously I never even considered it or even thought about it, it was a big surprise. It is nice to be recognised for all of the voluntary work I do within the disability sports.”

Colin’ who won two world table tennis titles in his disability class, in 1997 and 2005, counts table tennis coaching sessions among his many activities with the Forum.