LIKE true sporting superstars, they were perfect ambassadors for their country - just as they had been all those years ago.

Sure, the hair was grey, and judging by the Keystone Kops-style kick-about on the streets of Teesside, age had taken its tolls on their once nifty ball skills.

But, like any reformed team, they still had their characters - the philosopher, the chess player, the practical joker and the "mad one" - inevitably, in this case, the goalkeeper.

The diminutive giant killers from North Korea were back on Teesside for the first time since they created World Cup history when they dumped mighty Italy out of the 1966 tournament.

And they were determined to enjoy every minute of a trip that must have looked as likely as their old enemy, South Korea, repeating the act in this summer's World Cup.

But miracles do happen and, as they strolled around the housing estate that was built where Middlesbrough's Ayresome Park ground once stood, one random act drove home what this band of brothers mean to the people of Middlesbrough.

A young Boro fan, no older than six, ran up to Korea's famous Number 7, Pak do Ik, and blurted out: "Can I have your autograph, because my granddad talks about you all the time."

Another of "granddad's" generation, life-long Boro fan John Flynn, needed little prompting to reminisce about his favourite match.

As he followed the team as they walked along a street named The Holgate, after a famous stand at Boro's old home, he said: "I was at the game at Ayresome Park, and I remember the tremendous atmosphere. The Middlesbrough fans got behind the Koreans, mainly because they were playing in our colours," he joked.

"I remember some ice-cream sellers at the match, who were Italian, threw down their cornets in disgust at the final whistle."

This was a memory a little too close to home for one estate resident. Italian Antonio Bello, 72, was at the same match 36 years ago, and - despite the result - set up home in Middlesbrough.

Brought face-to-face with Pak do Ik yesterday, he said: "I have never forgotten it. It was like an accident. Back home they said it was yet another disaster."

His former team-mates looked on, just as they had done 36 years ago, as Pak do Ik placed a ball on Ayresome Park's penalty spot - now someone's lawn.

And the goalscorer was shown a bronze cast of football studs, nearby, which were cast to celebrate his moment of glory.

The North Koreans led Portugal 3-0 in the next round in 1966, before eventually succumbing 5-3 as their World Cup odyssey drew to a thrilling close.

Yesterday, they left the Ayresome housing estate along a street called Midfield, and travelled to the St George Hotel, at Teesside Airport. It was there that they stayed all those years ago, and it was there, yesterday, that they held the only Press conference of their five-day stay on Teesside.

They spoke of the depth of feeling between North Korea and Middlesbrough, and took the chance to dispel a myth or two.

Midfielder Rim Jung Son nailed one of the more entertaining myths. Through an interpreter he said: "We have just heard from some of your national newspapers that we were imprisoned back home in 1966 for womanising and drinking while in Middlesbrough. We did not even shake hands with Middlesbrough women. It's better not to know where that news came from."

Afterwards, Dan Gordon, whose documentary the Game Of Their Lives made all this possible, embraced Pak do Ik as the TV cameras were being packed away.

Amid all the noise and clamour of a trip that has attracted worldwide media interest, it was the defining moment of the entire trip.