Former Everton coach Steve Burtenshaw has died at the age of 86.
Burtenshaw served under two managers at Goodison Park as a member of the club’s backroom staff in a spell which spanned the mid to late 1970s.
Besides working as a lieutenant to Billy Bingham and Gordon Lee, he acted as caretaker for a four-game spell after the latter’s sacking in January 1977.
That stint included a home draw with Bolton in the League Cup semi-final first leg that helped pave the way for the Blues’ eventual Wembley appearance.
It was the second time he had stepped in for Bingham, having overseen the side for a loss at West Brom while his superior recovered from an operation.
Prior to moving to Merseyside, Burtenshaw spent two years as manager of Sheffield Wednesday before taking a charge of QPR for a year until 1979.
His later career saw a return to Arsenal, where his coaching journey first begun, as a scout and briefly caretaker in 1986 after Don Howe’s departure.
Ex-Everton winger Ronny Goodlass paid tribute to Burtenshaw, who died peacefully in Worthing on Thursday, as a popular figure around the club.
He said: “Steve was a lovely guy and a very, very good coach.
“He was a big part of us getting to Wembley. Steve always liked a laugh at the right times but he was always very professional in his approach.
“My thoughts are with his family at this sad time for them.”