MEMORIES of the formative years of a one of British football's greatest managers are being sought in a former North-East mining community.

Liverpool FC's official magazine is staging an open day in Hetton-le-Hole, a former pit town between Durham and Sunderland, the birthplace and home of legendary Reds' boss, the late Bob Paisley.

As part of the magazine's Back to the Roots series on the background of some of Liverpool's greatest names, local people are invited to go along to share anecdotes and stories relating to Paisley's upbringing.

Born in Hetton-le-Hole in 1919, he remained in the North-East until 1939, when he was signed by Liverpool while playing for Bishop Auckland.

He went on to win a championship medal with Liverpool in 1947 and remained part of the club's set up on quitting the game as a player, stepping up to become manager to follow in the footsteps of another Anfield legend, Bill Shankly, in 1974.

During his decade in charge, he led Liverpool to countless trophies, both domestically and in Europe, to become one of the most successful managers of all time.

Alan Jewell, of the Liverpool FC magazine, said the Back to the Roots series looked into the formative years of Anfield legends.

"We thought it would be a good idea to get posters going in the area and get some kind of interest so people will come along with stories to tell.

"We'd love to know his history as a child in Hetton and what he got up to."

The open day is being held at Hetton Library, in the recently-opened Hetton Centre, on Thursday, from 11am.