The Irish trainer who has been coaching boxers at St Thomas Gym in Wincobank since the 1960s and keeping youngsters out of trouble, was flanked by council leader Jan Wilson and the Lord Mayor of Sheffield Arthur Dunworth as he unveiled his plaque.

Brendan said it was like "winning the pools" to have been chosen by the citizens of Sheffield as one of the city's legends adding: "It is beyond my wildest dreams."

He said: "I have been in Sheffield for 50 years this month and it has been fantastic. I came over when I was 18 and obviously there have been ups and downs but it has been a great journey."

He said the highlight of his time in Sheffield was meeting his wife Alma, who had kept him on the straight and narrow. "If someone had said to me I would have married an English protestant who was a Conservative, I would have said 'no way'. But strange things happen when you fall in love."

Among the big names who have made it in boxing thanks to Brendan's efforts are 'Prince' Naseem Hamed, Herol 'Bomber' Graham, Brian Anderson, Paul 'Silky' Jones and Easham Pickering.

Brendan was joined at the ceremony by proteges Johnny Nelson, the former WBO cruiserweight title holder and Junior Witter, WBC light welterweight champion

Johnny who now works as a sports presenter for Sky and the BBC said: "Brendan is one of these unsung heroes and this is Sheffield's way of saying thank you for what he has done.

"Apart from the boxing he has helped out dozens of families and put a lot of kids on the right track.

"Brendan made me the guy that I am.

"He put me on this path. When I started boxing I was really shy and wouldn't say boo to a goose.

"Now I am a Sky and BBC presenter and I've written a book and do public speaking.

"This is something I never dreamed of and he gave me that confidence and self belief. It's all down to Brendan and if I hadn't met him God knows what I would be doing but I know for a fact I wouldn't be on this path."

Coun Jan Wilson said Brendan was one of "Sheffield's best" who had done an immense amount for his community.

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