LOUDON Dec 31 Soccer manager Alex Ferguson of Manchester United and re tired New Zealand Rugby Union star Grant Fox were anong. several sports person aliUes named on Saturday in the Queen a new year * honours list, repeats Remer

Ferguson, who guided Ms chib U; two successive En^ivr league titles and the double last season, was made a Commander of the Order of

the British Empire K BEl

It s the bes< birthday pre sent you couM get ' said Ferguaon. 53 on Saturday, wbow stole won ihr league and FA Cup last May becoming only the fourth English team this erntury to do fhr doublr

Frrguson. a Scot, was 10 year* ago made an OfBcer of the Order of life British Empire fOBEl following his Scottish trague and Cup jjoubto as manager of Abrrdrm

Although Ferguson failed in hM bid to emulate the foie Sir Mott Busby and bring the Kuropesn Cup back to OM Trafford his CBE is seen as a felting reflet lion ui hl* succcao in returning the glamour to one of Engli*ii football s most HluiMrlcMiK name*

"I think it * a recognition of the club and our a< hlrvrment* over the |>e»i six years." he »..id Weve also had the honour ot the knighthood for Bobby Charlton earlier this year and now this award for myself.

A CBE al*o went to English rugby Football Union secretary Dudley Wood, who 1* set to re lire in July after the World Cup in Soujh Africa.

Master gualiuckcr Fox. who retired ihls year after scoring a New Zealand record 645 points in 46 Test matches — the second highest in Inlernauonal Rugby Union — was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Welshman Jonathan Davies, one of the most successful converts to rugby league after starring for his country as a Rugby Union flyhalf, was also awarded an MBE

"It's a great honour and nice to be appreciated like this for services to the game of rugby tn general.' the Britain Test -tar said

Javelin - thrower Steve Backley. who retained his European and Commonweailh* titles in 1994. was rewardedT for his battling comeback from a catalogue of injuries by being made an MBE.

Backley who is training in the Canary Islands, said: T am really chuffed. I have won medals in athletics and other awards within the sport But I am truly delighted to get some recognition from outside the sport.'

MBEs also went to 26-year-old gymnast Neil Thomas, silver medalist at the 1993 World Championships, and Usa Opie, the squash player from the Channel Islands who broke a 30-year home drought by lifting the British Open title in 1991.