Rapturous applause rang round the Pringle Hall as McAvennie took his seat at the top table for the Hawick Shamrock Celtic Supporters' Club's annual dinner, and those lucky enough to get a ticket for the eagerly-anticipated event weren't disappointed with 'Macca' in top form throughout the evening.

Welcoming the 140-strong crowd, Shamrock club president Ian Watson made a short speech, during which he thanked everyone for coming along, in particular praising the members of supporters' clubs in Selkirk and Peebles, who had made the journey despite the wintry weather.

It was then left to secretary Watson to introduce McAvennie who, in truth, needed no introduction whatsoever. His standing among Celtic supporters remaining undiminished some 20 years after he first pulled on the famous green and white shirt.

A seasoned campaigner on the after-dinner speaking circuit, 'Macca' then took the Celtic-daft audience on a 30-minute rollercoaster ride of his sporting highs and personal lows.

Stories of his outrageous antics off the field had the crowd in fits of laughter, none more so than when he recalled partying the night away at Rod Stewart's Los Angeles mansion after being expressly told not to do so by the then Scotland manager Alex Ferguson. Needless to say his appearances for the national side were somewhat curtailed after this incident!

'Macca', who played 105 times for the Parkhead giants, then took part in a quick-fire question and answer session, during which he gave the audience a revealing insight into his thoughts on football including his disappointment that Tommy Burns had been overlooked for the Scotland manager's job.

It was now time for McAvennie to meet the masses, with a huge queue forming around the hall. Everyone eager to shake the hand of a true fans' favourite. Frank was being kept busy and was also called upon to draw the raffle which had a first prize of a pair of football boots signed by current Celtic team members Aiden McGeady and Scott Brown.

After a sumptuous buffet, expertly prepared by Brydon's, the dancefloor began to fill up as top band Irish Mist belted out a selection of Celtic favourites and popular music to bring the night to a fitting conclusion.

Speaking to the Hawick News this week, Shamrock club secretary Scott Richardson said: "I'm absolutely delighted with the way the dinner went. Frank was fabulous – he took time to speak to everyone and spent well over an hour signing autographs and posing for pictures. He also said that he'd be delighted to come back to Hawick in the future.

"When someone of Frank's calibre endorses our club in this way, it really is a huge feather in our cap."

The annual dinner was, as always, well supported by donations from local firms.

Scott concluded: "I'd like say a huge thank you to our sponors – Keith McLean Carpets, Lyle & Scott, Elite Décor, Chrystie's Furnishing Centre, Puma, Hawick Knitwear, Thorterdykes Roadhouse, Hizzy's Guest House, Lyle Transport, Byrne Tool & Plant Hire and Nike. They all did us proud."