Joe Corrigan spoke of his proud links to East Cheshire Hospice when Manchester City fans celebrated his MBE.
The former goalkeeper mentioned the charity when receiving a rapturous reception in front of 53,000 fans at City’s home game with West Ham.
Big Joe, from Tytherington, received the award in the New Year’s Honours list for services to charitable fundraising.
His role as a Hospice patron includes supporting fundraising campaigns and visiting football-loving patients.
Joe made 603 appearances for City between 1967 and 1983 and made nine appearances for England. The honour took him by surprise.
He said: “Words can’t describe it – it was totally unbelievable and I’m still in a bit of state of shock.
“It’s just an amazing honour to even be considered. My first emotion was one of disbelief.
“It’s the highest honour you can get. I got the envelope and on the cover it said, ‘On His Majesty’s Service’, and at first I thought it was a tax bill!
“But then when I opened it and read the contents, I just filled up.”
Joe would visit fans in hospital with teammates in his playing days.
He said: “Now I’m in a position where I’ve got a little bit little bit more free time to be able to do more charitable things.
“I’m an ambassador for East Cheshire Hospice which is a huge honour and I’m also so proud to be chairman of City’s Former Players Association, where we raise and donate money to a host of charities.”
Ex Man City keeper Joe Corrigan, who has received an MBE.