A PINT-sized legend brought tens of thousands of footballers to their feet as he recreated a landmark goal.

Thirty six years have passed since Pak do Ik lobbed a ball into the back of the net for North Korea, sensationally beating Italy 1-0 in the 1966 World Cup.

The North Koreans scored the victory of their lives at the Boro's old ground, Ayresome Park, redeveloped since 1995 as a housing estate.

Now aged 66, Pak do Ik recreated the winning goal before a capacity crowd at the club's Riverside Stadium ahead of Middlesbrough's weekend win over Leeds.

Nearly 35,000 supporters gave a rapturous standing ovation for the former striker and the six other surviving members of the team, including fellow striker Yang Song Guk, goalkeeper Ri Chan Myong, defender Rim Jung Son, and midfielders Pak Sung Jin, Im Song Hwi and Han Bong Jin.

Documentary film maker Dan Gordon is responsible for bringing the magnificent seven back to Britain, and said the old players' reception was outstanding, putting tears in their eyes.

Guests of Middlesbrough Football Club at the game with Leeds, the Koreans were presented with Boro shirts emblazoned with their names.

The previous evening, they were guests of honour at a sportsmen's dinner held in their honour at the Riverside Stadium, when former Middlesbrough manager Jack Charlton, a member of England's World cup winning side of 1966, was guest speaker.

Current chairman John Ovington said: "I am 58, I can remember the game in 1966 and watching the World Cup with my father on the television and it was terrific."