AS the debate goes on over whether Steve McClaren is the right man to manage England, here's my tuppence worth.

I don't know if the Boro manager is better qualified for the job than Scolari, Allardyce, or Curbishley. All I can say is that, in my experience, he's a thoroughly decent bloke.

Over the years, he's been a regular guest at The Northern Echo's Local Heroes Awards which honour the stars of grass roots sport. And he has always been a credit, not just to Middlesbrough Football Club, but to football.

On one occasion, I remember him flying back from an England match in Spain and not landing until dawn. It gave him a ready-made excuse not to attend our awards. Instead, he was there by 7pm and stayed until after 11pm, signing autographs, talking to children, and posing for photographs. He was natural, incredibly patient, and charming.

Big deal, some will say. Premiership footballers and managers are well rewarded, so community involvement and interaction with the fans should come with the territory. But not everyone in football understands that.

In my home village of Hurworth, where Middlesbrough train, McClaren is often seen out jogging. He waves at people and has a friendly word.

"Nice fella, that Steve McClaren," is the general verdict.

Football often doesn't have a good image. Inevitably, it is the trials, tribulations and scandals involving players and managers which attract the biggest headlines. McClaren, of course, knows all about that after revelations in the national papers about his private life just last week, and coping with the media spotlight is about to become a lot harder.

Time will tell if he can meet the enormous challenge facing him after he gets the little matter of Boro's UEFA Cup final out of the way this week. But, I for one, hope he proves the doubters wrong.

THE new England boss has for years had a "lucky haircut" at Oscars in Hurworth - a bargain at under a fiver.

"Let's do a piece on his lucky hairdresser," I ordered the newsdesk after his appointment to the England job was announced.

Word came back that Jane, the owner of Oscars, had politely declined our request. It would be great for business, she acknowledged, but she would never betray Steve McClaren's confidence.

In an increasingly indiscreet world, I reckon that's the kind of refreshing loyalty that warrants an extra big tip next time round.

And, finally, a belated apology. My travels took me to Frosterley Village Hall in Weardale the other day to speak at to the Women's Institute.

The walls are adorned with the beautiful paintings of Margaret Slater, local artist, who died recently. It was while I was admiring the paintings that I was told, to my horror, that I'd failed to turn up to a speaking engagement at Evenwood WI "four or five years ago".

I have no idea what happened - but, hopefully, it's never too late to say sorry.