New Honorary Life President John Breckin was rightly filled with pride upon learning the news that his contribution to Rotherham United has been recognised with his new title, admitting that his first thoughts took him back to his childhood living room and the moment his journey with the club began.
The Millers legend, who was personally given the news in a meeting with club Chairman Tony Stewart, explained that upon receiving the accolade he took the time to reminisce about his long association with his boyhood club dating right back to the moment he signed his first terms alongside his mum and dad.
"Straight away, I thought of my parents. My mum and dad, who introduced me to Rotherham United as a six or seven year old, and then I thought of Jack Mansell,” Breck told www.themillers.co.uk.
"At 13, I came home from school and he was in the front room and I just thought about how proud my mum and dad were that day that I signed school boy forms.
"To think that all these years on, at the young age of 66, the Chairman has called me in and said those kind words to me meant an awful lot.
"Since I've driven to the training ground to do this interview, I've thought of all the football boots I cleaned as a young lad. When I swept the terrace when it was windy, you'd sweep a step and have to go back and do it again with all those ground staff lads like Seamus McDonagh, Trevor Phillips, Alan Crawford and Freddie Robinson and all the apprentices.”
If there has been a job that has needed doing at Rotherham United, Breckin has always made himself available to do it. From playing and coaching, he has used his vast knowledge of the club and it’s ideologies to help out wherever possible – a contribution which has not gone unnoticed further up the AESSEAL New York Stadium hierarchy.
"I'm really honoured. It came as a total surprise,” Breck admitted.
"I was asked to come down to the ground and the Chairman wanted to see me. I did wonder what that was about to be fair.
"I went into the meeting room to see him and he patted me on the back and told me that he wanted me to become Honorary Life President of the club and it means a hell of a lot to me.
"He told me that the Board had recognised what I've been doing, which was nice and I did tear up a little bit.
"He said they were unanimous in wanting me to have the ‘Life President's’ title.”
Throughout his years associated with the Millers, Breckin has countless memories and stories to recall and tales include divisional championships, inclusions in the PFA Team of the Year and coaching success, all of which has been synonymous with himt making friends for life in the process.
When asked to recall his highlights, the club legend cited his breakthrough from the youth ranks into the senior setup as a player, his time alongside Ronnie Moore during which they led the club to the second tier and bringing through a number of players that went on to become first team regulars from the Academy.
"I've had a big bite of the cake in life. I hope my life isn't going to end, but if it ended tomorrow, I've had a fantastic career,” Breck proudly stated.
"I didn't play right at the top but I went close in the Championship year but I have so many memories.
"I have so many friends in the game as well. Ex-players that ring me up and ask to come to the club.
"Breaking into the first team and obviously the promotions, stand out.
"To come back and start the youth policy when the club was on its knees, I had some great memories of bringing the likes of Sedgy [Chris Sedgwick] and Monky [Andy Monkhouse] through.
"When Ronnie came back as manager and he pulled me in that day, he said I'd been assistant manager before and I knew what the club was all about.
"We had a great time as players together for three years. I'll always remember he said: 'This train isn't stopping, I want you to be my assistant manager.' I just laughed and even now when we have a drink together I mention it about Ronnie. They are the words he said, I got on the train and it was an unbelievable journey wasn't it."