LONDON: Ron Flowers, a member of England’s World Cup-winning squad in 1966 and Wolves stalwart, has died aged 87.

Winghalf Flowers was the club’s fifth highest appearance holder (515) and a key figure in the 1950s and early 1960s when manager Stan Cullis’s team won three league championships and one FA Cup.

Flowers earned 49 England caps between 1958 and 1963. He scored England’s first goal in the European Championship in a qualifying tie against France in 1962.

A statement on Wolves’ official Twitter feed read: “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of club legend and vice president Ron Flowers MBE at the age of 87.

“A giant on the pitch and a gentleman off it. There will be many people remembering Ron today and all of our thoughts are with those who knew and loved him.”

Flowers joined from Wath Wanderers in 1952 and wound down his career with Northampton Town and Telford United after his departure from Molineux in 1967.

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