RELATIVES of a North-East football legend yesterday unveiled a plaque in his honour at a diabetes centre library.

The widow and daughter of Harold Shepherdson, who achieved recognition as England's trainer when the team won the 1966 World Cup, were joined by Boro manager Steve McClaren.

"Shep" was assistant manager of Middlesbrough Football Club before he helped his national side to glory, but was diagnosed with diabetes after the Mexico World Cup, in 1970.

Behind the sporting scenes he tirelessly supported diabetes groups and officially opened the diabetes care centre at Middlesbrough General Hospital.

When the centre moved to the James Cook University Hospital, it was decided that part of it, the education library, be named after the father-of-three, who died in 1995.

His daughter Margaret McGloin, the trust's assistant director of facilities and planning, who helped plan the new centre, said: "My father was very grateful for the help and support he had received from the medical staff. He counted them as friends and was an ardent supporter of the centre over the years.

"We're deeply touched the library has been dedicated in his memory."