Ivor Powell began his career by signing for Queen's Park Rangers in 1933, over three-quarters of a century ago.
He was forced to put his football career on hold when the Second World War broke out and the RAF posted him to India.
While there he was reportedly introduced to spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi.
He went on to be the Wayne Rooney of his time, playing for Blackpool and Aston Villa, and setting a record transfer fee of £17,500 in 1946.
Born in Bargoed, Caerphilly, Mr Powell also played 14 times as a Welsh international.
For the past 37 years, he has trained players for the Bath University team - coaching thousands of footballers, most of them just a quarter of his current age.
In 2002, Mr Powell took Team Bath to the first round of the FA Cup, and six years later he was awarded the MBE for services to sport.
Now living in Colerne, Wiltshire, he describes football is his life.
He said: "I joke that I've been trying to get out (of the game) for years, but they won't let me. But really, I just can't get enough and can't imagine my life without football.
"I feel so proud of what I've done. I've been very, very happy at the University of Bath and I mean that.
"I'll still be putting on my boots and popping in once a week to keep an eye on things," he told the in Interview with newspaper
Ivor Powell - World's Oldest Football Coach Facts and Achievements.
In 2004, the former miner who was born in Bargoed, south Wales, was inducted into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame.
At his playing peak in 1948, he set a record transfer fee for a halfback of £17,500 when he moved to Aston Villa.
One of his many coaching roles was alongside Don Revie when Leeds United was one of the top clubs in the country.
At Tuesday's party, held at the university's sports training village, Mr Powell received messages from around the world from people who were coached by him.
The Ivor Powell Sports Scholarship Fund will be administered by University of Bath Development and Alumni Relations.
Money donated to the fund, which already has £30,000, will provide scholarships for future undergraduates who are gifted both academically and in their chosen sport.
Professor Glynis Breakwell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bath, said: "Ivor's dedication and commitment to coaching and sport over nearly four decades here at Bath has been an inspiration to thousands of young people."
