Port Glasgow's backroom team of Craig Brown, Scott Jackson and John Dickson took a novel approach to picking their dream team by only selecting players who had turned out for clubs they were acquainted with during their own careers.

But limiting themselves to choices from just three clubs - Greenock, Largs Thistle and Port Glasgow - did not make their task any easier because they all owned up to regrets over "greats" they omitted from their 4-4-2 selection and full bench.

GOALKEEPER

NONE of the trio are long enough in the tooth to recall Port great Evan Conway, but Bruno waxed lyrically about Largs team-mate Kenny Meechan, while Dixie has nothing but fond memories of another revered Barrfields No.1 Stevie Connick.

Craig said: "Both men were marvellous shotstoppers and brave as lions, so choosing between them is a really tough call, however I can never recall Kenny being anything other than inspired so he gets the nod."

DEFENDERS

CRAIG recalled Danny Gault as a local boy who went on to enjoy a successful Junior career, but still felt the right-back slot should be awarded to the dependable Pat McIlvogue, who he described as the "epitome of competitiveness who would never let the side down".

And he was every bit as single-minded in choosing former Scotland internationalist Paul Mullin to shore up the other side of his defence, saying: "Mullser came to the Port in the twilight of his career after winning every possible honour with Kilwinning Rangers and was both hard as nails and so intelligent in his use of the ball. He must surely have been one of the best Juniors doing the rounds in his prime."

Ross McMillan, cornerstone of the Largs side to reach the 2010 Scottish Junior Cup Final was a strong candidate for centre-back, as was Port Glasgow's combination of Dr Ian King and Jada McDonald from their title-winning 1979 side, however Craig discounted everyone in favour of two of his former Port team mates .

He insisted: "I captained the 2000 Central Second Division side that went on to beat Larkhall, Pollok and Shettleston to lift the Evening Times Cup, and the backbone of our team was undoubtedly big Gordon Greer, who signed for Clyde immediately after the final.

"Everyone who played with Gordon back then knew he was destined for great things, but he has probably exceeded all expectations by going on to establish himself as a full Scotland internationalist, so he would be the first name down on my teamsheet.

"Beside him we are going for Stevie McCahill, who enjoyed a decent Senior career at Dumbarton, Celtic and Morton before dropping into the Juniors with Greenock and showing himself to be an outstanding ball-winner.

"I'm trying to be fair to players who came before my time, but it's difficult given I have so many great memories of the guys chosen for our team."

MIDFIELDERS

PORT'S jet-paced winger Ian Anderson (son of the ex-Pollok winger of the same name), who also turned out with Kilbirnie Ladeside and Johnstone Burgh, was the surprise choice ahead of Billy Gibson (Port) and John Robertson (Largs), for the right-sided midfield role, while another Port touchline terror, Frank Mackay, took the honours for the left flank ahead of the wonderfully gifted Phil Cannie.

Craig insisted: "Ian could tear apart any defence when he was in the mood, but sadly never fulfilled his potential because of having to quit the game at an early age because of work commitments.

"Frank was under-rated, yet was a goalscoring winger of the highest order and good for 10-15 goals every season, so he just nicks the jersey away from Phil, whose natural ability was second to none as part of that Evening Times-winning, side but he would probably be first to own up to failing to make the most of his talent."

To support his attack-minded flank runners, Craig came close to selecting Jamsie McNeil, his midfield partner at Largs, but instead opted to beef up his engine room with Port legend Ricky Cabrey alongside current Greenock assistant player/boss John Boyd .

He reasoned: "Man or ball could get past Rikky, but never both, and his steel would be ably backed up by Boydy, who is better known as a striker, but could play anywhere at a push and is an out-and-out winner."

FORWARDS

THE three amigos were literally spoilt for choice in regards of strikers, even though none of them ever saw legendary hitmen John Cummings and Norrie Fulton in action.

They are more familiar with ex-Greenock hitman Hugh Ward and Pat McCurdy, scorer of the winning goal when Largs lifted the Scottish Junior Cup in 1994, but even this prolific pairing were put to one side in deference to Davie MacCabe (Port) and Stevie Quigg (Largs).

Craig said: "McCabe's predatory instincts and his pace off a standing start tipped the scales in his favour, while Quiggy's knack for holding the ball up and bringing others into play was nothing short of phenomenal

"The team picked is jam-packed with outstanding Junior characters from around these parts, and I can only apologise to those left out."

The Port trio's formidable selection reads as: Meechan, McIlvogue, Greer, McCahill, Mullin, Anderson, Cabrey, Boyd, McKay, MacCabe, Quigg. Substitutes: King, McCurdy, McNeil, Ward and Connick (GK).