Former Everton captain Brian Labone has died at the age of 66 after collapsing outside his home.
Labone joined Everton at 17, making 534 appearances for the Toffees in a career in which he was only booked twice. His sense of fair play led his former manager Harry Cattterick to describe him as the ‘Last of the Corinthinans’.
Labone won two Championship titles and an FA Cup winner’s medal with Everton. He also won 26 caps for England, playing in three of England’s four matches at the 1970 Word Cup in Mexico.
His playing career was ended during the 1970-71 season through an Achilles tendon injury, but he remained with the club, working for the club in a commercial capacity.
Everton’s director of communication Ian Ross said: “Everyone at the club is devastated.
“In the pantheon of Everton greats, Brian Labone is right up there with the very best.
“He was one of the club’s favourite sons and a hugely respected figure.
“He was regarded as a ‘professional’s professional’ before that term was ever used.
“But not only was he a great footballer, he was also a lovely bloke. He still worked at the club as an ambassador on match days, showing guests around the stadium.
“He loved to do that because it meant he was still dealing with Evertonians.”
Everton manager David Moyes told Everton’s website: “He always had a good word of support for myself and the team whenever I was in his company.
“I was shocked to hear he had passed away and my sympathies go out to all his family and friends.”
Subscribe to World Soccer – The essential football magazine.
