Aberdeen-born football legend Denis Law has been awarded a top accolade by the Queen.
The former Scottish internationalist, has been made a CBE for services to football as part of the Queen’s New Year Honours list.
The 75-year-old dazzled both at international level with Scotland and on the club circuit at Manchester United, Manchester City and Torino.
But despite enjoying a trophy-laden career, the former forward said he was “shocked” to find out he was included on this year’s honours list.
“I had no idea that I would be included,” he said. “It’s something that happens to other people, it doesn’t happen to you.
“It really is one of these things where you don’t know what to say, I’m very pleased with receiving it.”
Widely viewed as one of the best homegrown talents the UK has ever produced, the goal-scoring forward started his career at Huddersfield Town, before moving to Manchester City in 1960.
A year later, he became the first player in Britain to be sold for a six-figure sum when he was snapped up by Italian side Torino.
His spell in Italy would be short-lived, however, and he would again smash the British transfer-fee record when he signed for Matt Busby’s Manchester United side.
Alongside team-mates Sir Bobby Charlton and George Best, he is fondly remembered by fans as a member of the United Trinity, who helped the side become the first English club to win the European Cup in 1968.
In 2002, the three were immortalised with a bronze statue outside the club’s Old Trafford stadium.
While he has been honoured for his achievements on the pitch, the grandfather now spends his time helping to improve communities off it.
Last month, he returned to the Granite City to kick-start a project to remove “no ball games” signs from the area, in an effort to encourage youngsters to be more active.
And his Streetsport initative has helped hundreds of youngsters access free sport and activity sessions for youngsters throughout the north-east.
Mr Law added: “It’s always nice to help people who are struggling themselves.”