The 39-year-old goalkeeper received his award for services to football, though only one club has been benefactor in a 23-year professional career.

Making his debut as a 16-year-old in 1978, Knight went on to play 683 games for Pompey.

Back in the mid-1990s he shattered Peter Bonetti's record for most appearances by a goalkeeper for one club.

Knight then spent four more years extending the landmark.

Now the club's goalkeeping coach, his last start came in a First Division game against Norwich last season.

He is yet to officially hang up his gloves and a solitary performance of the season meant Knight had played across four decades for his beloved Pompey

That rare feat alone merits his New Year honour.

His services to football are now concentrated on developing the careers of the club's burgeoning goalkeeping talents.

But it is unlikely any will break their coach's club record.

With England youth and Under 21 caps also on his mantlepiece, Knight eventually fell 81 games short of Jimmy Dickinson's club appearances record.

His treasured nickname remained untarnished though and now The Legend has become one of the first Knights to receive an MBE.