Ron Flowers - a member of England's triumphant 1966 World Cup squad - has passed away at the age of 87.
The midfielder chalked up over 500 appearances during a 15-year spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers and won three First Division titles with the West Midlands outfit in 1954, 1958 and 1959.
Flowers was in line to feature in the 1966 World Cup Final due to Jack Charlton's illness but ultimately missed out on a place in Alf Ramsey's team following his teammate's recovery.
Wolves posted a tribute to their former midfielder on social media, saying: "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."
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of club legend and vice president Ron Flowers MBE at the age of 87.
— Wolves (@Wolves) November 12, 2021
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. pic.twitter.com/iq1ZqxNhL7
England also shared their own tribute on Twitter, writing: "We're saddened to hear of the passing of Ron Flowers MBE at the age of 87.
"He won 49 caps for the ThreeLions and was a member of our 1966 FIFA World Cup-winning squad. All of our thoughts are with his family and friends."
Flowers - who also played for Northampton Town and Telford United in the latter stages of his career - was not awarded a World Cup winners' medal in 1966 but ultimately received one in 2009 from then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Ben Knapton
