ARE these the proudest parents in England?

York couple Brian and Margaret McClaren couldn't hide their joy after their son Steve was named the new England manager.

The pair, who live in Appletree Village, said they were "proud" and "delighted" after Football Association chiefs finally revealed the sport's worst kept secret - that Fulford born Steve was to succeed Sven Goran Eriksson after the World Cup.

McClaren has signed a four-year deal and takes over officially on August 1. His first match will be a friendly against Greece on August 16.

Brian, 70, revealed he had spoken to his son as he took the trip to London to be unveiled at Soho Square, yesterday, telling him that while "form is temporary, class is permanent".

The Press revealed on Wednesday how McClaren had landed football's top job and the paper has been inundated by childhood friends and neighbours wishing him well.

"He has a lot of class and he's just proved it," Brian said. "No-one would have imagined he would reach the heights of England manager.

"I am so proud of him, all the family are. He could have been a professional tennis player, a professional squash player but he wanted football. We knew he had the talent.

"He was always football mad and he's always been a winner.

"I think he will be great as England manager. I have every confidence in him.

"We can't put into words how we feel. Every father would dream of having the England manager as their son and I have.

"To see him go through in football from six-years-old, right through on this heck of a rise, it's just fantastic."

Margaret said: "Steve was always kicking a football around.

"All the time on the lane - from coming in until dark - he was always kicking a ball. It hasn't all quite sunk in yet."

Brian said Steve had all the qualities needed to be a success as England manager.

"When he went to Manchester United (as assistant manager in 1999) he never showed any signs of being too excited.

"He's very clinical. He doesn't let emotion get in the way.

"Even when Middlesbrough won the Carling Cup in 2004 he didn't let it go.

"As a kid, he wanted to be the best at football. Football was his life.

"We are just delighted."

Updated: 09:36 Friday, May 05, 2006