LONDON: Tributes have poured in for Cyrille Regis after the death of the former England and West Bromwich Albion centre-forward at 59. Regis was a pioneer for black footballers in the game when he played alongside Laurie Cunningham and Brendon Batson at The Hawthorns.

He scored 112 goals in 297 appearances for the Baggies before joining Coventry City for £250,000 in 1984. He won five caps for England, scored 62 goals in 274 appearances for Coventry and was a crucial part of their FA Cup-winning side in 1987.

The other 'Three Degrees' at West Bromwich Albion: Laurie Cunningham, Brendon Batson and Cyrille Regis

Alan Shearer said: “What a man. What a centre-forward! One of my earliest football memories was walking into WBA for a trial as a 13 year old kid, seeing Cyrille Regis and being in awe of him.”

Gary Lineker described Regis as “a tremendous striker and fine man whose legacy goes beyond the game, helping to pave a way for black footballers in this country.”

Regis was born Maripasoula in French Guiana on 9 February 1958 and arrived in Britain with his family five years later.

Career steps

He came up through the Isthmian League at Hayes before being spotted and signed for West Brom by then-manager Ronnie Allen in May 1977. He also played for Aston Villa, Wolves, Wycombe Wanderers and Chester City later in his career.

Regis retired from football in October 1996. Appointed an MBE in 2008, he returned to West Brom as a coach before becoming a football agent. He is thought to have suffered a heart attack.

The trio of Regis, Cunningham and Batson, nicknamed the Three Degrees by their then-manager Ron Atkinson, were subject to racist abuse from fans during the late 1970s.

They are due to be honoured with a 10ft statue, called The Celebration, in West Bromwich. It is set to be unveiled this season, following a delay.

At a preview of the structure in 2013, Regis said: “We were part of that first generation of black players in this country and I’m sure that if you ask any second generation player they will tell you they were inspired by Laurie. That’s why the statue will be so important.”

Cunningham died in a car crash in Spain in 1989.

Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand paid tribute to “a great man. Helped set the foundations for others. Always remembered”.

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