London, 30th January 2025 – Legends of Football are to honour England’s second most capped women’s player, Jill Scott MBE and England legend, Gary Lineker OBE with the prestigious award at a star-studded event at London’s J W Marriot Grosvenor House on Monday 6th October 2025 in aid of music therapy charity Nordoff and Robbins. 

The three-time FA Women’s Cup winner and 1986 World Cup Golden Boot winner will be officially unveiled at the event this autumn, joining an esteemed list of recipients including Pelé, David Beckham, Arsène Wenger and most recently, England’s most capped women’s player, Fara Williams and Manchester United legend, Wayne Rooney. 

On the announcement of her award, Jill Scott said, ‘‘I am absolutely thrilled to receive the 2025 Legends of Football award. It’s truly an honour to follow in the footsteps of my former international teammates, Fara Williams and Ellen White, who have also been recognised in recent years. 

“The incredible work Nordoff and Robbins do cannot be overstated. Seeing the charity’s incredible impact through its use of music therapy to transform the lives of people with life-limiting conditions has been inspiring. I’m really looking forward to the evening and excited to raise money for Nordoff and Robbins.’’ 

On accepting the award, Gary Lineker said, “I am delighted to be receiving the 2025 Legends of Football award. This acknowledgement is an honour, and would not be possible without the support of my former managers and teammates. 

“I’m thrilled to be part of an incredible evening that celebrates football and music, all in support of Nordoff and Robbins. Their work is vital in transforming lives through the power of music. Music therapy offers an extraordinary means of helping individuals express themselves and connect with others.” 

Described by Sir Alex Ferguson as “the best night in the football social calendar”, the Legends of Football event is an annual charity fundraising night, supported by the Premier League, in aid of music therapy charity, Nordoff and Robbins. The event has raised a staggering £8.5 million to date since 1997 when John Charles CBE was the first recipient. 

Geoff Shreeves, Legends of Football Chairman commented, “It gives me immense pleasure to honour two icons of the 

game, Jill Scott and Gary Lineker, both truly deserving of the 2025 Legends of Football award.” 

“Jill Scott is a legendary figure in English football, amassing an incredible 161 caps – the second-highest total in the history of both the men’s and women’s game for England. Her leadership and experience were instrumental in the Lionesses’ historic Euros victory in 2022, a landmark moment for the nation and women’s football. She is a true credit to the sport and has inspired a generation of girls to follow in her footsteps.” 

“Gary Lineker is one of the most recognisable names in English football. A prolific goalscorer for both club and country, he began his career with his hometown team, Leicester City, before shining on the European stage with Barcelona. For England, he boasted an incredible record of scoring a goal every other game and won the Golden Boot at the 1986 World Cup. Without a doubt, Gary Lineker is a true legend of the game.” 

Jill Scott enjoyed a remarkable career at club level, beginning with her debut for her local side, Sunderland, in 2005 at just 18 years old. After a brief stint in the North East, Scott moved to Everton, where she spent seven successful seasons. During her time with the Merseyside club, she won both the FA Women’s Premier League Cup and the FA Women’s Cup, playing pivotal roles in both finals. Her contributions were recognised in 2008 when she was named FA Players’ Player of the Year. 

Following her time at Everton, Scott joined Manchester City’s women’s team, where she continued to excel. In 2017, she scored in the FA Women’s Cup final, helping her team secure a 4–1 victory over Birmingham City. After an eight-year stint at Manchester City, which included loan spells at Everton and Aston Villa, Scott retired with an impressive haul of three Women’s League Cups, three Women’s FA Cups, and one WSL title. 

On the international stage, Scott made her England senior team debut in August 2006, coming on as a late substitute for Kelly Smith in a 4–0 win against the Netherlands. Over her illustrious international career, she was voted FA International Player of the Year in 2011 and competed in 10 major tournaments. 

Her career reached its pinnacle with England’s victory at the Women’s Euros in 2022. The Lionesses’ 2-1 triumph over Germany at Wembley Stadium marked their first major European title and was witnessed by a record-breaking crowd of 87,192 fans. Domestically, the Lionesses’ triumph was watched by a peak BBC One television audience of 17.4 million, making it the most-watched women’s football match on UK television. With 161 caps, Scott remains the second-most capped player in England’s history. 

In retirement, Scott has flourished, building on the success of the Euros and quickly becoming a national sensation. In addition to her work as a football pundit, Scott has appeared on several popular talk shows, including The Overlap and A League of Their Own. She has also been involved in numerous media campaigns, including Sport Relief’s initiative to encourage the nation to get moving. In 2022, Scott was crowned the winner of the popular game show I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, endearing herself to the public and cementing her place as a beloved national figure. Most recently, she was inducted into the National Football Museum’s Hall of Fame, further solidifying her legacy in both football and popular culture. 

Gary Lineker began his footballing journey at his hometown club, Leicester City, after leaving school in 1977. He turned professional during the 1978–79 season and made his senior debut on New Year’s Day 1979, helping Leicester secure a 2–0 victory over Oldham Athletic at Filbert Street in the Second Division. Lineker quickly established himself as a prolific striker, excelling in both the First and Second Divisions. During the 1984–85 season, he was the joint top goalscorer in the First Division, alongside Kerry Dixon, netting an impressive 24 goals for Leicester City. 

The following year, Lineker joined defending champions Everton, where he continued his remarkable goal-scoring form, recording 40 goals in 57 appearances. He once again claimed the First Division’s top scorer title, tallying 30 goals, including three hat-tricks. 

His exceptional performances at the 1986 World Cup with England in Mexico earned him the Golden Boot, this was shortly followed by a £2.8 million move to Barcelona, marking his first foray into European football. In his debut season with the Catalan giants, Lineker scored 21 goals in 41 games, including a memorable hat-trick against arch-rivals Real Madrid. After three successful years with Barcelona, he returned to England in 1989 to join Tottenham Hotspur. 

Across his club career, Lineker represented Leicester City, Everton, Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur, and Nagoya Grampus Eight, amassing a host of team and personal accolades. In England, he lifted the FA Cup with Tottenham in 1991, was named Footballer of the Year in 1986, and finished as the First Division’s top scorer three times with three different clubs. Additionally, he won the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award twice – for his time at Everton and Tottenham. In Spain, Lineker secured the Copa del Rey in 1988 and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1989 with Barcelona. 

On the international stage, Lineker remains England’s only Golden Boot winner at a World Cup, a title he earned during the 1986 tournament. He earned 80 caps for England and scored 48 goals, finishing just one goal shy of Sir Bobby Charlton’s record. Lineker retired from football in 1994 and became part of a select group of players who never received a yellow or red card throughout their entire career – a testament to his impeccable sportsmanship. 

Following his retirement, Lineker transitioned into a career in media, becoming a household name and broadcasting icon in the UK. In 1999, he succeeded Des Lynam as the BBC’s anchorman for football coverage on their flagship show Match of the Day. Lineker went on to serve as the host for an astonishing 25 years, becoming BBC Sport’s highest-paid presenter. Beyond broadcasting, he became the face of the British brand Walkers crisps, starring in memorable commercials during the 1990s and early 2000s. He also made appearances in films and TV, including Bend It Like Beckham and the hit Apple TV comedy Ted Lasso. 

Lineker is also one of the founders of the podcast empire, Goalhanger Podcasts, the UK’s largest independent podcast group. The company produces several popular shows, including The Rest Is Football podcast, co-hosted by Lineker, Alan Shearer, and Micah Richards. In 2024, Goalhanger Podcasts was believed to have surpassed 400 million downloads. 

Sandra Schembri, CEO, Nordoff and Robbins, said: “We are really looking forward to celebrating the incredible careers of Jill Scott and Gary Lineker at this year’s Legends of Football event. Football and music share a deep connection, and this evening is always one of the highlights of the year, bringing these two worlds together for a night of fun and fundraising. On behalf of Nordoff and Robbins, I want to thank Jill, Gary, and everyone involved in making this event possible. Every penny raised goes directly towards delivering music therapy, helping us create opportunities for people to express themselves and connect with others through the transformative power of music.”