Tony Mowbray reveals last words in West Brom dressing room before emotional return at Middlesbrough

Mowbray made a return to the dugout 11 months after taking a backwards step from his previous role at Blues, but was unable to inspire the Baggies to anything other than a 2-0 reverse at the Riverside.

The head coach's loved ones were inside the stadium - his immediate family live just 10 minutes away - to witness his return. There was a heart-warming moment seconds before kick-off as Mowbray was offered a standing ovation from the home supporters, who also chanted his name and held a banner aloft referencing his recovery from bowel cancer.

Albion boss Mowbray spent nine years a player at Boro, where he was a back-to-back promotion winner. He also managed the club between 2010 and 2013.

"I'm from Teesside," Mowbray said. "I was born in Saltburn and lived in Redcar for 20 years then moved to Eaglescliffe.

"I spent my life here and I was telling our media guy, I lived through the 80s when this club was locked up. The people of Teesside appreciate not just me but the whole team, Pears, Parkinson, Cooper, Pallister, Hamilton, Slaven, Ripley. It was a special time to be here because we got back to back promotions. The fans, the people, generally remember.

"I walk through the car park and dads are pushing their six year old sons over towards me. It's the dad or granddad even who remembers. It's humbling for me but it's still disappointing to lose.

"My family were here. It's been a tough year for them but here we go again, we've had 20 years of this. Football management is always an up and down journey. Boro are a very good team.

"Middlesbrough are as good as anyone in the league at their best. I watched them slice Luton Town, who were in the Premier League last season, to shreds. They scored five, it could have been 10. They did the same to Sheffield Wednesday in 20 minutes."

Mowbray went on to captain Boro and his side flew from the Third Division to the First Division between 1986 and 1988.

He remains great friends with Gary Pallister and sees the former Manchester United defender a couple of times a week.

Asked if he allowed himself a moment to take in the emotion ahead of kick-off, he replied: "Not really. I have a real affinity for this football club. People here are really good to me.

"I've been to the last four or five home games. I've been in the directors' box and they've looked after me. I have a lot to thank this club for, it's a special club. But I'm head coach of West Brom and we were only here to win.

"My last words before we left the dressing room were 'we're only here to win'. I genuinely thought we could win but we need to start being a bit more potent at the top end of the pitch."