His niece Allana Robertson is behind the latest bid to get the ‘First Gentleman of Scottish Football’ recognised alongside the other greats in the game.

She is hoping that the people of Inverclyde and beyond will help carry the momentum so that the man known as Mr Morton can finally takes his place in the ranks.

Goalscoring giant McGraw — who was nicknamed ‘Quick Draw’ during his career — holds the record for the most goals scored in a season, a feat that has stood for over 50 years.

Championing a bid backed by some of the biggest names in football, proud Allana, 25, of Greenock, said: “My uncle is my hero and he is a hero for every Morton fan.

“I think he truly deserves to be in the hall of fame.

“He holds the record for the most goals scored in a season and not even Henrik Larsson could beat it.

“Last time round the likes of Craig Brown and Alex Ferguson were among those to back his induction.” Allana is a lifelong Ton fan and was more than aware growing up in the town of the regard everyone has for her uncle.

She said: “He used to pick me up from school and the teachers had to take him into a classroom because everyone in the playground was going wild.

“When you go to a restaurant with him people stop and ask to get pictures taken.” Just recently the family were out for a meal and a 12-year-old boy came over to ask if he could have his picture taken with Allan.

Allana added: “It is amazing after all this time.

“He hardly has a picture or a memento left because he just gives them away.

“He is so modest and down to earth about it all.” During a recent holiday in Las Vegas Allan was in a lift when he was stopped by a fellow guest.

Allana added: “The guy said to him, ‘Are you Allan McGraw of Morton?’ — he had left Greenock as a boy but knew all about my uncle.” As a player Allan, now 76, had an unrivalled record at Morton and reached a League Cup final in 1963.

Sadly though his commitment to the cause left him needing walking sticks.

Allan took many pain killing injections while playing, and the injuries he sustained left his knees badly damaged.

The ex-player later returned to Cappielow to manage the side for 12 years, bringing through a conveyor belt of young talent in the likes of Derek McInnes, Derek Lilley and David Hopkin, players all sold on by the club for lucrative fees during the 1990s.

Allan was also responsible for building the best Ton team in recent times, the celebrated squad of 1995-96 which featured Flying Finns Janne Lindberg and Marko Rajamaki and came within a whisker of promotion to the Premier League.

But to Morton supporters Allan is much more than a player and manager, as he became an ambassador for the club and the fans.

He played a key role in unifying supporters and highlighting the club’s plight as it toiled under the ownership of Hugh Scott in the late 90s.

Nominations for the Scottish Football Hall of Fame are now open and the new inductees will be unveiled at a special dinner in October with former Scotland coach Craig Brown a special guest.

l To nominate Allan McGraw visit www.scottishfootballhalloffame.co.uk/nominations/