Sir Trevor Brooking spoke with typical humility on becoming he second recipient of West Ham United's Lifetime Achievement Award.
Sir Trevor, who was presented with the award by Joint-Chairman David Gold and Chairman of sponsors ACL, Roger Abrahams, was moved by the tribute paid to him by the Club he served with distinction as player and manager for more than two decades.
Speaking to West Ham TV, the five-time Hammer of the Year, two-time FA Cup winner and England international midfielder said the reception he received from supporters at the Player Awards had only strengthened his affinity with his boyhood Club.
WATCH SIR TREVOR'S WEST HAM TV INTERVIEW NOW!
"I'm delighted," Sir Trevor confirmed after following in the footsteps of fellow West Ham legend and close friend Billy Bonds, who was the first recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award a year ago."It's great when you've got a lot of fans who really appreciate what you did in the past. They know that I'm still very fond of the Club and after 19 years of playing for them we've got some great memories. Nothing can take that away.
"I spoke to Bonzo, Billy Bonds, who got last year's award. Billy and I are good mates, we played together a lot. He said it was a great evening and it makes you realise how lucky you were to have had that career with a Club for so long. Nowadays, players chop and change so often, but in our era it was that much easier to stay.
"I was chatting to quite a few of the fans and signing photographs, which was quite strange because we now live in an era of mobile phones and selfies, of course! That was good, particularly to see a few familiar faces of people who were fans in my playing days. It's great.
"We have got a very loyal fanbase. They can be critical, but that's only because they are so passionate about the Club. When things go against you, they protect you as well.
"I was lucky to have had a career in football as a player, broadcaster, Director and now with the FA. West Ham have played their part in my whole life."
ACL Chairman Roger Abrahams and Joint-Chairman David Gold
with Sir Trevor Brooking
Sir Trevor was not the only loyal West Ham favourite to be honoured at the Player Awards, with Mark Noble being voted Hammer of the Year for a second time. The 1980 FA Cup final hero was quick to praise Noble for his consistency and ability during what has, at times, been a challenging 2013/14 campaign.
"Mark has been very consistent. He is a homegrown lad and is obviously very passionate. He won Hammer of the Year a couple of years ago as well and this year, at difficult times when not many had a good run in the team, he was there as a rock. He is so dependable, it is not surprising he got Players' Player of the Year too. That's always a fair indication.
"The fans all thought he was a key player who we couldn't afford to be injured. It's great for him and for the Academy to have somebody like that because you can see the affection the fans have for them when they come through."
In a wide-ranging West Ham TV interview, Sir Trevor also discussed a challenging 2013/14 season, three victories over Tottenham Hotspur, the importance of Andy Carroll, his optimism for 2014/15 and the move to the Olympic Stadium.
To watch the revealing interview with the Lifetime Achievement Award winner now, click here.