Sirrel: Mr Notts County
Those in attendance to pay their tributes to the Magpies' most decorated manager included the all-time record goalscorer Les Bradd, Trevor Christie, Roy Brown, Kevin Randall, Iain McCulloch, Don Masson, Dean Yates and present manager Ian McParland.
Howard Wilkinson, who Sirrel brought to Meadow Lane in 1982 as first-team coach as he became general manager, former Derby County manager Jim Smith, ex-Nottingham Forest boss Frank Clark and Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington were also present.
Sirrel was led into the 1862 Suite by a lone piper before taking his rightful place at the top table.
And then all those present were then taken on a magical history tour, beginning with the 1970/71 season – Sirrel's first full campaign in charge of the club – when they took Division Four by storm, ending it as champions by a staggering margin of nine points ahead of Bournemouth.
Bradd, who struck 11 league goals during that season, paid tribute to Sirrel's ability to make an instant impact.
He said: "Jimmy taught us to be professional and how to play winning football up and down the country that season.
"It was a fantastic group of players."
The 1972/73 season, when the Magpies won promotion to Division Two was the next stop, before arguably Sirrel's finest hour, the 1980/81 campaign and ascension to the top-flight of English football.
There was a video montage of memorable goals from the club's three seasons in Division One, when supporters stood on terraces, shorts were shorter and Sirrel was king.
Timeless goals from the likes of Christie, McCulloch, Brian Kilcline and John Chiedozie were met with rapturous applause as each was relived in turn, before further tributes were paid to Sirrel.
Smith, who played for Sirrel at Aldershot before enjoying a successful managerial career of his own, said: "In terms of my inspiration, Jimmy was it. He was an incredible man and a tremendous coach. He was fascinating.
"He was a very forward-thinking guy. He taught us how to play football and it was a great privilege to play for him."
Wilkinson said: "I don't think there will ever be another like him; someone who will serve one club with selfless commitment for the vast majority of their career.
"I know that any success I have achieved in my career would never have happened if it hadn't been for Jimmy."
John Mounteney, a director of the club for 23 years between 1979 and 2002, said Sirrel was "unique".
He said: "I have seen more managers than most but Jimmy and his wife Cathy were part of the fabric of Notts County. They were Notts County.
"There has never been a night like this before because there has never been a manager like Jimmy before.
"I think it is unlikely we will ever see the likes of Jimmy again."
Finally, Sirrel took centre stage to unveil a portrait of himself, specially commissioned by the Notts County Supporters Trust.
Painted by Nottingham-born John Townsend, it depicts him during his glory days with his iconic grin.
It now has pride of prominent place in the main reception at Meadow Lane, which is exactly where it deserves to be.
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