A FORMER Everton and Middlesbrough FC scout who worked tirelessly for grassroots football for 50 years is to be made an MBE.

Eric Powell, from Yarm, also scouted for Manchester City and Newcastle United, travelling around the country every weekend to stand on touchlines spotting raw young talent.

He has been the driving force behind the North Riding FA for more than four decades, and now has a charity trophy named after him which raises money for grassroots talent, and for the Great North Air Ambulance.

Thornaby-born Mr Powell received a lifetime achievement award from the Football Association earlier this year, which was presented by Boro boss Tony Mowbray at the club's Rockliffe Park training ground. He was also shortlisted in The Northern Echo's Local Heroes awards as an Unsung Hero.

He told The Northern Echo: "The MBE was quite a surprise. I had an idea that something was going on but I wasn't sure. There have only been about three people that knew so it will be nice to go down to the pub tomorrow - I bet I get some stick!

"When you work in football you don't tend to be a fan of one particular team, but I do follow Boro and also Everton because I was there a long time."

Mr Powell worked as a scout for the late former England trainer Harold Shepherdson when he was manager at Boro, and spent 11 years at Everton.

He talent spotted players including Jimmy Husband in the 1960s, who scored 44 goals in 160 games at Everton, the late former Boro manager Willie Maddren and David Mills, England's first half-million pound footballer who played for Middlesbrough, Newcastle United and Darlington in the 1980s.

Darlington's former Newcastle and Hartlepool full-back Paul Arnison was also signed by Eric for Everton after he trailed the youngster during his games for English Martyrs School in Hartlepool.

Here’s a short statement on Eric Powell.

A spokesman for Middlesbrough FC said: “We are deeply indebted to Eric for bringing some of the most talented young players in our history to Middlesbrough Football Club and are thrilled that his long and distinguished career has been recognised in this way.”