FORMER Morton striker Warren Hawke marked the anniversary of Morton's dramatic 2003 last-day title win by declaring it as one of the 'best of his life'.

The Englishman, who also served as Cappielow chief executive until last year, played a big part in rebuilding Morton and says the club will always have a special place in his heart.

Last week marked 17 years since John McCormack's side clinched the Third Divison crown in nail-biting fashion, drawing a line under the worst period in the club's history.

In front of a record crowd of 8,497 the close knit team were roared on to victory against rivals Peterhead with Scott Bannerman scoring the only goal of the game, captured by the Tele's George Munro.

Warren, now 49, said: "I played many big matches through out my career including an FA Cup final for Sunderland against Liverpool but we lost.

"That game against Peterhead was the best of day of my life.

"The feeling after it, when the team and the supporters all celebrated together afterwards - you just can't beat it.

"We all won it together.

"That team was special.

"Some of the boys were local and many who were not lived locally.

"We all trained, played and socialised together.

"I still have the t-shirt framed on my wall which says 2001 We Were Done, 2003 We're Number One.

"It says it all.

"There were great players in that squad like the Maisano brothers from Australia and the Finnish lad Jani Uotinen."

The 2002-2003 season was a watershed moment for Ton after confectionery factory boss Douglas Rae stepped in to save the club, which had gone into administration.

Warren added: "As far as I understood there wasn't an hour to spare, it was minutes when Douglas stepped in and saved his club."

After suffering relegation in 2002, from there he invested, McCormack was appointed manager and they began fighting their way back.

Veteran Hawke, who retired a year two years later, came on as a sub with instructions to help see the game out and clinch the trophy in front of a anxious crowd desperate for success.

After leaving as a player for the second time Warren came back on the business side, setting up the Morton Community Trust and ending up chief executive before moving on last year.

He said: "Morton will always have a special place in my heart.

"Some clubs you play for get under your skin.

"It is a great community club.

"I am very proud to see the community trust going on to do all things it promised under the excellent stewardship of Brian McLaughlin, who is doing a brilliant job.

"That is where Morton should be."

For the record the Morton squad on title day in 2003 was: Coyle, Collins, Bottiglieri, Henderson, Gaughan, Marco Maisano, Millar, Bannerman, Williams, John Maisano, Annand. Subs: McDonald, Uotinen, Cannie, Hawke, McGurn