Two-time European Cup winning captain John McGovern returns to where it all began with memorable night in Hartlepool

The event, which was organised and hosted by former BBC Radio Tees presenter Paul ‘Goffy’ Gough, was held at a packed Rovers Quoit Sport and Social Club, on Good Friday with many Poolies heading there in high spirits after watching their side pick up three points against Halifax.

McGovern first played for Hartlepools United, as the team were then called, 56 years ago and helped them win promotion to the Third Division, the club's first ever promotion, in 1968.

After moving to the area from his native Scotland when he was seven, McGovern captained both the rugby and cricket teams at Henry Smith's Grammar School and didn't start taking football seriously until he was 15.

He enjoyed a meteoric rise under legendary duo Brian Clough and Peter Taylor at Hartlepool then following them to Derby County and Leeds.

But the zenith of his career followed at Nottingham Forest, captaining the Miracle Men to back-to-back European Cups as well as another league title.

At the celebration night, McGovern regaled guests with stories that ranged from hilarious to heartwarming, including some memorable anecdotes about the inimitable Clough.

He said: "They were inspirational at times. The reason that they brought success to clubs is that they were brilliant at different aspects of the game of football.

"Clough was a brilliant orator, he could talk the hind legs off a donkey.

"Peter Taylor was the recruitment officer, he just went out and signed all the players."

Goffy had arranged for a number of McGovern's friends and former teammates to send in videos that featured throughout the evening, from Alan Goad and Tony Bircumshaw to Graeme Souness and John Carver.

And despite going on to achieve success at the highest level of English football as well as on the European stage, McGovern admitted that he'll never forget his times as a fresh-faced teenager in Hartlepool.

"Sneaking through the Rink End at Hartlepool's ground to see a match was where it all started," he said.

McGovern is still heavily involved in the beautiful game and works as an ambassador for Premier League side Nottingham Forest.