A Manchester City legend spoke of his 'disbelief' after being named in the King's New Years Honours list.

Ex-England goalkeeper Joe Corrigan, who lives in Tytherington, received an MBE for his services to charity.

His former club welcomed him to the Etihad earlier this month, where a crowd of nearly 53,000 treated him to a thunderous applause.

Big Joe spoke to the crowd about his work as a patron for East Cheshire Hospice, fundraising campaigns and visiting football-loving patients.

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."

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Between 1967 and 1983, goalkeeper Joe made 603 appearances for Manchester City.

He also made nine appearances for England.

During his playing days, Joe and his teammates would visit fans in hospital.

He added: "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."