FORMER Great Britain and Bradford Bulls coach Brian Noble has picked up his MBE from the Duke of Cambridge at Buckingham Palace for services to rugby league and charity.

Noble (pictured) who also coached Wigan, has enjoyed a near 40-year career in the sport as a player and a coach, said it was a “thrilling” experience to collect the honour.

“I’m thrilled. It’s thrilling, genuinely thrilling,” he said.

He said his story shows anyone can achieve their goals if they persevere.

He said: “If a little lad from Manningham, in Bradford, can reach these heights it’s a message for everybody in the country. If you persevere and you’ve got some resilience about yourself you can be successful.”

Noble also said he staked his faith in England boss Wayne Bennett following the side’s defeat in the Rugby League World Cup Final.

“My views are that the team has played as well as it’s played in the last 20 years,” he said.