Lee Clark says that Steve Black's sad passing has left a "gaping hole" in the world of sport - and that Newcastle United have lost one of their greatest ever employees.
Black left us at the weekend with tributes flooding in after he worked with the biggest names in sport such as Alan Shearer, Kevin Keegan, Joey Barton, Terry McDermott, Danny Cipriani and Jonny Wilkinson - who said he turned him into the best fly-half in the world.
Black is credited with helping turn Newcastle from Second Division relegation material into Premier League title contenders in the 1990s under Keegan thanks to his fitness and motivational techniques.
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But Clark himself admits he was indebted to him for working with him as a player and manager after setting an unbeaten record of 43 matches when they almost went the full calendar year without defeat.
Clark told Chronicle Live: "He was a very close friend of mine and I knew him from as far back as 1990.
"Over 30 years ago. I met him and became very close to him. He was my performance director at Huddersfield and it's no coincidence that was my best spell in management. He had everything organised and sorted in line with the way I wanted the team to play. I tried to get him on other jobs with me but logistically or financially the clubs couldn't afford what Blackie was worth at that time.
"But I had him helping part-time and whenever I was back in the North-East we met up and he always said he was my little brother and I felt he was my big brother. So it was very, very sad. I've had lots of sad conversations over the phone with me being abroad. What has made me feel really happy are the great stories I've heard from the sporting world, football, rugby and boxing.
"People in the business world too. They all say the same things, he was an unbelievably positive bloke who had so many strings to his bow what he done. It wasn't just fitness - where he was miles ahead of his time - it was the motivational and psychology stuff too.
"It was one on one or with a group. He has left a big hole in the North-East and it's just a very sad time. My thoughts are with Julie his wife, Emma, Stephen and Mark his kids and his grandchildren who he adored."
Even recently, with Clark managing Al-Merrikh in Sudan, he would still speak to Black on a regular basis.
Clark added: "We thought he was indestructible and he'd be here forever for us.
"Any time we had any little issues, he was always there. It would be a phone call if I couldn't get to see him in person. It would be a laugh and giggle but then down to serious work. He was just an unbelievable figure, the very best for me."
Black's work has been highlighted across the world of sport with the Falcons holding a minute's silence ahead of their game with Exeter. Clark spoke of his work at Kingston Park and reflected: "He never criticised anybody.
"Even when he was speaking abruptly when he wasn't happy about something.
"I'd been in this scenario with him. Before pre-season used to start with Newcastle I'd train with him at the Falcons. I'd go in and do rugby type training in the gym or on grass. If he was unhappy with things he'd get the players around and it would be a little raise of the voice. It was communication. He was a positive guy."
But for Newcastle fans it was arguably his work with the Entertainers that is remembered the most fondly.
Back then United played swashbuckling stuff and confidence would be sky high at St James' Park.
Clark said: "When he came to us and worked with the Entertainers group when Kevin Keegan brought him in, he was doing sports science long before others.
"It's a bit like Brian Clough how he was ahead of his time with psychology and his methods of resting up.
"When you go into football clubs people think you have to work and do crazy hours. But you can do five hours on the training pitch, but it's about quality. You can do a quality hour sometimes or five hours of rubbish working. You can work for one hour and do an hour of total intensity, players become fitter and more aware.
"That's what Blackie was about - using time accordingly. Game management too. Blackie has us doing chronological training way before others. Pep Guardiola does it now and Steve Gerrard at Rangers.
"What that means is if you kick off at 3pm why are you training at 10am? Why not train at 3pm?
"If you kick off at 8pm why aren't you getting the training at that time and getting the body used to it. Blackie had me doing that in 2008/09 at Huddersfield - where we were ridiculed! Nobody kicks off at 1030am in the morning - it never happens.
"Things like that, he was miles ahead of the game."
Clark also worked with Black during rehab one summer after an ankle problem.
Clark said: "I remember finishing one season and my leg was in cast with a broken ankle.
"He had me back by pre-season. I worked with him with one leg in plaster but came back in pre-season and Kevin Keegan said: 'Nash you look like a middleweight boxer.' He had me in unbelievable condition because he worked with me.
"I couldn't do certain things but he got me in shape. Yes it was hard but it was enjoyable. You loved being in his company.
"He made you laugh and the work was ridiculously hard and he pushed you to the limits."
Newcastle's famous days of training at Maiden Castle saw Black even get involved in training matches.
Clark added: "Keegan had him training with us.
"The only time when KK told him off when he'd join in, he was a decent player!
"He'd be trying to nutmeg or do a stepover with Steve Howey in small sided games. Obviously, he was a bit heavier and couldn't get round. Keegan would be screaming: 'Blackie - that's a future England international you're up against there!'
"He had the lads in stitches really. Everybody lit up when he was in the dressing room. Then he went on with the Falcons and helped them achieve great things with Rob Andrew. Sir John Hall loved him too."
But Black became close with players off the field, with Clark recalling his son's christening on a day in which the coaching guru brought the house down.
Clark said: "People say there are certain people who break the mould.
"And they did with Blackie. At my oldest son's christening Jak, Blackie just went off into an impromptu Pavarotti! In his younger days he looked like him and he was even brilliant at singing.
"We loved him to bits. I have never heard anybody say one thing derogatory about him in any shape or form! He's always touched people in a positive way."
Black's legacy will live on through his range of speeches, stories and even Youtube videos where there are a range of talks from conferences he has attended.
But Clark feels the best way he will be remembered will be as a "proud Geordie".
Clark said: "There was no more of a proud Geordie than him.
"He helped Glenn McCrory become a world champ. He was proud when to be associated with Keegan's Entertainers. He was just an inspirational guy. Even once the takeover went through he was thrilled and proud.
"I'm sure he'd have loved to be part of it, they could have seen what he's about.
"He'd had two spells under KK and Steve McClaren. He was delighted with the way things were going though. Wherever he went in the world he represented Newcastle well and he was huge in America so he spread the word."
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