ONE of more than 70 applicants for the post, Mackie was a former Aberdeen and Glasgow Association player who had enjoyed a successful seven-year spell as player-manager of Sunderland.

However, Mackie's career on Teesside was curtailed by the irregular payments scandal which shook the football world. He quit before he was pushed but was to receive a lifetime ban from participation in football.

Instead he took over the running of the Star and Garter pub in the town.