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Forty-eight-year-old footballer Paul Elliott is the first black footballer to receive the prestigious CBE Award. The CBE is the Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire from the Queen of England. Elliott is known for his work on anti-racism campaigns within the sport of football overseas. Elliott began his football career in 1980 with the Charlton Athletic team, switching teams several times during the first decade.

Elliott is also the first modern-day player in the 20-plus year history of the Premiership to receive the CBE. He has done extensive work with the Football Against Racism In Europe network.

Between 1990-1991, Paul Elliott received was awarded the Scottish Footballer of the Year award. The only person to win this award twice is another black footballer, Henrik Larsson. The victories of Paul Elliott were only available for a few more years; he suffered a severe knee injury in September 1992 by footballer Dean Saunders. He would announce his retirement after full recovery became impossible for him. Elliott filed suit against Saunders for the injury, but ultimately lost the case when the court ruled that Saunders was not at fault.

Prior to receiving the CBE last year, Paul Elliot was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2003.