Former Everton goalkeeper Dai Davies has passed away at the age of 72.
Davies spent seven years at Goodison Park between 1970 and 1977 after joining the erstwhile English champions for £40,000 from Swansea City.
He was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer in August 2020 and underwent treatment at the Nightingale House Hospice in Wrexham.
Sad news of his death was confirmed on Wednesday morning.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the death of William David Davies (better known as Dai) today, Wednesday 10 February 2021. He died peacefully at home,” read a family statement.
“He was much loved by Judy, Bethan, Gareth, Rhian, Emma, Sally, Kate and his 12 grandchildren.
“He will live on in the memories we, and many others, hold dear.”
The Wales international also enjoyed spells with Wrexham, Bangor City, Tranmere Rovers and a two-year stint back with Swansea in the early 1980s.
But his impact on the Blues extended beyond his time with the club as a former roommate of Neville Southall when representing their country.
“Dai Davies taught me the two most important football lessons,” Southall told Everton’s official website last year.
“He taught me how to look after somebody who was in the squad for the first time.
“We roomed together and he looked after me fantastically well. He could have been awkward because obviously we were after the same shirt.
“But he wasn’t. He was really good to me and just said, ‘If you take my place, then you’re better than me’, and he helped me so much.
“Dai had incredible mental strength and never let the odd mistake affect him. He just kept going.
“He won more than 50 caps and played loads of games at the top level and should be recognised as a top goalkeeper.
“His attitude was always spot on and he’s a great guy as well, a really funny person.”