“There was nothing to him but boy, he could play.”

The Irishman in the corner of the bar came over all wistful at the mention of the name Stephen Yeates.

The blond-haired winger was a pin-up boy of the Dublin football scene – a League of Ireland hero with the likes of Shelbourne, St Pat’s and Athlone.

But in September 2002, Yeates died in a tragic accident at the age of just 39.

His son Mark was only 18 at the time, just starting out on the ladder at Tottenham. He was playing a youth-team game against Coventry the day that Stephen passed away.

Eleven years on and Mark Yeates returned to Athlone as part of City’s training week in Ireland. The memory of his dad remains an inspiration.

Yeates said: “Dad was a bit of a star down here in the 80s and it’s nice that people still mention him. I’m sure he’s looking down and he’s proud.

“He was a good footballer and I think everyone appreciated that. It’s a nice touch they are talking about him.

“When he was here, I used to go to all the games as a youth-team lad at Cherry Orchard. Unfortunately I was only at Tottenham a year when he passed away.

“It’s been a long time now but obviously over here the League of Ireland isn’t the biggest so everyone knows everyone else. The people who have organised the trip are friends of his.

“Athlone are a good little club. I know the manager Roddy Collins and so do my family and it’s good to see them doing well.”

Athlone’s six-year-old stadium may not be the same stage where Yeates senior once danced down the touchline with twinkling feet. But City’s newest midfielder made sure the family name was once again stamped on the club.

A goal and an assist from his first outing on Tuesday was not only a fitting tribute to his father but an early glimpse of the quality that Phil Parkinson has acquired in the former Watford man.

Yeates said: “I suppose the gaffer will say that’s what he bought me for but it was good. It was a decent goal and then Rozza (Rory McArdle) got on the end of a cross, so I’m happy.

“It felt good to be playing and get 60 minutes under my belt after missing the first game. I’d picked up a little niggle on Friday and the gaffer was just being a bit cautious.

“I know Parky’s philosophy and how he wants to play. It’s just about getting used to the other players and the more games like Tuesday the better.

“The result maybe looked like we battered them but Athlone are a good side. It was a real test for the lads, which is what we need at this stage.”

Parkinson is likely to rotate his squad at Bohemians on Saturday, giving those who came off the bench against Athlone the bulk of the match this time.

Next Tuesday’s friendly at Grimsby could be a good pointer towards the team that will set up on the opening day of real action in just over a fortnight.

Yeates said: “The boys can’t be any fitter. Game time and match sharpness is what we really need and getting the feeling back being on the ball.

“I don’t need to comment about the lads because everyone knows how well they did last season. It’s about carrying that on and going into the season positive. We don’t need to fear anyone.

“We want to stamp our authority on opponents and we’re going to be right at it in the next two weeks before the first game of the season. Hopefully when Bristol City comes around we’re ready to go.”