Legendary Everton defender Ray Wilson has died at the age of 83.
Wilson passed away on Tuesday and was part of the Blues’ side that overcame a two-goal deficit to beat Sheffield Wednesday in the 1966 FA Cup final.
Later that year he was also instrumental of England’s victorious World Cup squad, just two years after moving to Goodison Park from Huddersfield Town.
The left-back spent five years with Everton before joining Oldham Athletic in 1969.
Former teammate Joe Royle described Wilson as a ‘maestro’ and ‘the best of his kind at the time’.
“You had a speedy ex-winger who certainly was not going to be beaten for pace,” said Royle.
“Ray led the onset of a new breed of full-backs. Prior to Ray, they had all been sentinels, big, tall lads. Maybe third centre-backs, rather than full-backs.
“He is a World Cup winner and played in the last England team that had four, maybe five, world class players… and he was certainly one of those.
“He was the best of his kind at the time. And he was a top guy, always there with a smile or a helpful word.
“I played a few reserve games with Ray and it was like listening to a maestro. He knew his stuff.”