A former County reserve player has collected one of the most prestigious awards in world football.

Lee Ramoon, who featured for the Hatters in several Lancashire League games in the 1988-89 season whilst studying at Manchester University, received the Centennial Order of Merit award of the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA).

The medal, which elevates Mr Ramoon to the highest level of world recognition in football, was pinned onto his lapel by international soccer star and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador George Weah.

"His desire to portray a positive image and become a role model for the youth of his country cannot be over emphasized," said Mr Weah, who is the African Footballer of the Century and 1995 FIFA World Player of the Year.

On receiving the honour Mr Ramoon said: "I'm a simple person, I am not used to being mentioned in the same breath as people like Pele and George Weah.

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Our records show that Lee played at least five games for County during his spell at Edgeley Park, scoring one goal in the 2-1 defeat by Everton on September 9, 1988.

The County team that Friday evening was: Steve Crompton, Lee Broomhead, Ian McKenzie, Mike Pickering, Neil Kelly, Billy Parry, Martin Faulkner, Neil Bailey, Lee Ramoon, Gary Brabin and Andrew Hibbert (Scott Grimshaw).

Unused Sub: Craig Lomas.

This article has been produced with the help of Stockport County's Historical Advisors.