Brian Burgess - former Deputy Chairman of Brentford FC and a current Trustee of Brentford FC Community Sports Trust - was named in the Queen's Birthday Honours List. The announcement of the honours, delayed by the Covid-19 outbreak, came yesterday morning and Brian was on the list. He was awarded the British Empire Medal for his service to football.

The British Empire Medal is granted in recognition of meritorious civil or military service. Brian, currently an Associate Director, was nominated for his work for the Trust. The citation on the award read: "Brian Robert Burgess. Trustee, Brentford Football Club Community Sports Trust. For voluntary service to Football."

Brian was one of the original members of Bees United, the Brentford FC Supporters' Trust, and subsequently became Chairman. He was Chairman when Bees United completed a takeover of Brentford FC in early 2006, helping raise the funds required to refinance the Club. Brian helped pave the way for the initial involvement of current owner Matthew Benham and served as Deputy Chairman until taking up a paid position on the new stadium project in 2008.

Brian first started working in a voluntary capacity on the stadium project in 2002 and was on the Boards of Lionel Road Developments Ltd and Brentford FC (Lionel Road) Ltd until 2017. Brian has also been a Trustee of the Brentford FC Community Sports Trust charity since it became an independent trust in 2005. He was also Chairman of Supporters Direct, the umbrella organisation that provides support and assistance for its member trusts to secure a greater level of accountability and deliver democratic representation within football clubs and within football's governing structures, for five years.

It for this voluntary work in football that he has been recognised. All at Brentford FC pass on congratulations to Brian.