Former Everton player and manager Billy Bingham has died.
Bingham first arrived at Goodison Park from Luton Town in October 1960, reportedly turning down Arsenal’s overtures to join for a fee of £15,000.
The right-sided forward would make a notable contribution to the Blues winning the First Division just two seasons later with five goals in 23 games.
That summer, following 98 appearances and 26 goals, Bingham was sold to Port Vale for the same price which had secured his move to Merseyside.
A broken leg forced the Northern Irishman to call time on playing at 33 and pursue varied managerial career that eventually took him back to Goodison.
Between 1965 and 1973, he took charge of Southport, Plymouth Argyle and Linfield as well as stints internationally with his both homeland and Greece.
Bingham returned to Merseyside in May 1973 as Everton’s replacement for Harry Catterick, following a period of ill health for his former manager.
Under him, the club went agonisingly close to reclaiming the league title in 1974/75, leading the table in early April, but capitulated in the closing weeks.
He would be sacked in January 1977 but would enjoy continued coaching spells with Mansfield Town, Greek side PAOK and Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
Yet it was Bingham’s second tenure with Northern Ireland which cemented his legacy after leading them to successive World Cups during a 13-year stretch.
Everton’s oldest surviving player and manager, Bingham passed away peacefully on Thursday at the age of 90.