LES Bradd had already been at Notts County for two years when Jimmy Sirrel took over as manager in November 1969.

He was 22, still in his formative years as a striker.

Today, he looks back at Sirrel's arrival at Meadow Lane as one of the most important days in his career.

He is the club's all-time leading goalscorer, with 137 goals in ten years with the Magpies.

Sirrel, he says, played a big part in helping him write his name in the club's history books.

Bradd flourished under Sirrel's guidance, and memorably scored 21 goals in Division Three in the Scot's second full season in charge, following promotion as Division Four champions a year earlier.

He says Sirrel turned the club into a more professional outfit, and instilled the players with a belief they could beat any team in the country.

He said: "He stressed how important each player was to the team.

"He told us we were not going to win anything until the team was right and each player had to perform.

"He put together a group of good players but it didn't just happen overnight.

"We started to win games and he made us believe we could win anywhere, up and down the country as he used to say.

"We could not wait for the matches. We loved playing at Meadow Lane. They were very special times in my career and in the club's history.

"Jimmy was the key to it all. He was the man who led us down the road to success."

Bradd will be at Meadow Lane tomorrow to pay tribute to Sirrel.

He said:"We were good friends for a long time so I will miss him a lot.

"It was an honour to be at his tribute night at the club earlier in the year.

"What a great honour it was to see so many people show their respect for him.

"Jimmy will go down in the club's history. People will never forget the feats he achieved."