A RETIRED footballer is set to become the first player of black origin to receive a league winners' medal, 53 years on.

Stan Horne played for Manchester City from 1965 to 1968 and was part of the squad won the First Division title in 1968, however due to injury he only played five games over the course of the season, not enough to qualify for a medal at the time.

Now over half a century on City will be putting this right by awarding the retired midfielder, who now lives in Radcliffe and still regularly attends games, his medal at half time during Saturday's Premier League clash with Burnley alongside team mates Harry Dowd, Paul Hince, and Bobby Kennedy.

Mr Horne, 76, said: "I'm absolutely dumbstruck to be honest, the story broke maybe 12 months ago that something might be done about it and then it seemed to die down and now its been ignited again, I'm absolutely overjoyed about it."

He added: "Obviously the First Division medal, apart from playing for your country, its the biggest honour you can get."

During the course of his career, Stan Horne also played for Aston Villa and Fulham, however his time at City remains what he is best remembered for.

Mr Horne said: "There's quite a long history, City have always been one of the top teams in the country, they've had their dark days being in the shadow of the people over the road so its good to see them having success now."

The news has also been huge for the Horne family.

Son Matthew said: "My Dad's family are from a small village in Oxfordshire and growing up in Bury we used to visit them every six weeks or so.

"My Dad was part of the 1966 team that got them up from the old Second Division and the medal he got for that had pride of place in a glass cabinet in my grandparents' house.

"I'd take take it out and treasure it but at that age I couldn't understand why there was a void where his First Division medal should have been."

Stan Horne's place in history is now assured, not only in Manchester City folklore but in the English game as whole.

Matthew Horne said: "My Dad was always my hero growing up and I've always been really into my football growing up."

He added: "We've shown that, with Manchester City, there is a history there and I'm just really proud that my Dad was there and is a part of that history."