On 1 January 1965 he became the only footballer to ever be knighted (for services to football) whilst still an active professional player; though he never thought himself worthy of such an honour.[78] His only first team appearance of the season was also the last Football League game of his career; it came on 6 February 1965, just after his 50th birthday, and was necessitated by injuries to both Peter Dobing and Gerry Bridgwood.[78] The opponents that day were Fulham, and Stoke won the game 3–1.[79] Though he felt he had retired too early, and could have carried on playing for another two years, this brought an end to his 35-year professional career.[80]