The family of 'Mr Barnsley' Norman Rimmington were at Oakwell on Wednesday to receive his British Empire Medal on behalf of the Reds legend.
Rimmington died at the age of 93 in December after being a goalkeeper, coach, groundsman, physiotherapist and kitman during a lifelong devotion to his hometown club which began as a player in 1945.
The Staincross man had heard that he would be receiving the honour just before he died, and it was pinned on his grandson Richard Ward by the HM Lord-Lieutenant of South Yorkshire Andrew Coombe.
Richard, who attended the event with several other family members, said: "He was in a residential home in Penistone at the time when he was told he had received the award. We took the letter up to him and he said: 'about bloody time'. That was typical Norman.
"It was an extremely special day to receive the medal. It would have been better if Norman had been with us, although he would probably have moaned about having to put a suit on in this hot weather and that we all walked on the pitch.
"He's an inspiration to our family and he's made us what we are. He was a fantastic granddad and an amazing great granddad. He was the backbone of our whole family. We all loved him and we miss him very much."
The Lord-Lieutenant, who has an office in Barnsley Town Hall, represents the Queen in the county and is responsible for delivering honours such as the British Empire Medal. He had never met 'Rimmo' but, having read the nomination for his honour and spoken to many people who knew him, he was full of praise for the seven decades of service to the Reds.
Mr Coombe said: "I have found it very moving. It is always a great privilege to do the Queen's ceremonies and even more so when the person has sadly died. This is the first time I have had to do it posthumously and it is very sad. It is unusual.
"But I am sure Norman would have liked it to have been a celebration, which it has been. Norman was obviously a great guy and had both Barnsley and the football club in his DNA. Cut through him and you would see Barnsley.
"So to meet his family and staff from the club and hear them talk about him was fantastic. The club exudes warmth and a family atmosphere which was quintessentially Norman Rimmington.I have been to various events in the county in the last few weeks and mentioned I was coming here, and I know that Norman is held in great affection by people all across South Yorkshire.His contribution to the club has been astonishing and exceptional."
The Lord-Lieutenant also joked: "I have never done a presentation in a football stadium before and I have been practising my overhead kicks but they haven't got any balls on the pitch and the nets aren't up."
Barry Taylor, the Barnsley director, began and ended the ceremony with speeches about Norman. He included the story of when staff at Barnsley hospital questioned the former groundsman being physio at the club, so Rimmington gave them a presentation and answered their questions before receiving a standing ovation. Also present on Wednesday were most of the Barnsley first team coaching staff including head coach Paul Heckingbottom as well as chief executive Gauthier Ganaye.
Heckingbottom said: "It's special for Norman's family and everyone connected with the club. We're all proud of Rimmo and it's a really positive thing for town. It would have been better if he had been here to receive it but he would have probably played it down.
"As he reduced his hours at the club because of his health, he didn't know as many of the players and staff in the last few years.But there were still a few of us local lads who kept it in touch with him and took the trophies up to him after we won the Johnstone's Paint Trophy and the play-off final."
