Hi °C | Lo °C Record breaking goalscorer David Healy may not have been able to shoot Northern Ireland to the Euro 2008 finals in Austria and Switzerland last night in Las Palmas but that doesn't mean he will not be celebrating a very special accolade in the New Year.
For Irish FA Chief Executive Howard Wells is backing ace marksman Healy to be named in the Queen's New Year's honours list.
Healy and Northern Ireland limped out of European Championship qualification with a 1-0 defeat to Spain.
But the 28-year-old Killyleagh lad finished the campaign as the top goalscorer with 13 goals ? a record for Euro qualifying.
Wells now wants his marvellous achievements and the fact he is a wonderful ambassador for the game to be recognised.
Chief Executive Wells says: "After what David Healy has done in this campaign there is even more reason for his achievements to be recognised on a bigger scale.
"When you look at some of the so called sports stars in England who have received MBE's, OBE'S and knighthood's for next to nothing then surely David is well worthy of an honour.
"We're not expecting a knighthood but surely after what he has achieved especially in this campaign then he should be right up there with the best in British sport.
"It would be great not only for football but also for Northern Ireland if David received an honour in the New Year.
"I will personally be writing to government to make my feelings known and hopefully they will take our thoughts on board.
"And by the time the New Year comes around David will have another accolade to celebrate."
Healy was devastated to miss out on qualification having come so close but he admitted that Spain's dominance meant Luis Aragones' men deserved their win ? even if it did come from a fortunate deflection.
Healy said: " It was a cruel blow, but it sums up how the campaign has gone. To lose to a deflection, no matter how much possession they had, is disappointing.
"It has been a great campaign for me, but to score 13 goals and not make the European Championship finals is disappointing.
"Hopefully I can carry it on to the next World Cup. I know I'm getting on a bit at 28 years of age, so the next World Cup campaign might be my only chance left!"
Healy has reiterated on a number of occasions leading up to the Spain match that he wants boss Nigel Worthington, who's six-match contract expired last night, to stay on as Northern Ireland manager.
