Sir Kenny Dalglish to receive lifetime achievement award at BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards
17.12.2023 - 09:11
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Sir Kenny Dalglish has spoken of his joy after it was revealed he is to receive a lifetime achievement gong at BBC's Sports Personality of the Year awards.
The Glaswegian scored 167 times in 320 appearances and lifted nine trophies at Celtic before departing in 1977 for Liverpool, in what was then a British record transfer fee of £440,000. He scored just seven minutes into his league debut and immediately became a hero of the Kop, scoring 172 times.
Sir Kenny was manager of Liverpool at the match at Hillsborough on 15 April 1989 that led to 97 Liverpool fans losing their lives. He was widely praised for leading the club’s response to the tragedy and his unwavering support to the families of the victims as they campaigned for justice.
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After news emerged of the gong to be given to him on the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards on Tuesday night, Sir Kenny said: “Receiving the lifetime achievement award is truly an honour. I have always believed in the importance of team success, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without all of the players I’ve played with, the people I've worked for, and the supporters that stood by me, so this is for them."
He and his wife, Marina, have raised more than £10m for a variety of charities including the Marina Dalglish Appeal that raises money for cancer care.
Previous winners of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year lifetime achievement award include Billie Jean King, Pele, Sir Bobby Charlton, Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, David Beckham, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sir Chris Hoy, Simone Biles and last year’s