Ron Wylie, Aston Villa legend, dies at age 86 after battle with illness
- Ron Wylie has passed away at the age of 86 after a long battle with illness
- He played former Aston Villa and Birmingham during the post-war era
- Wylie also managed West Bromwich Albion but failed to play for Scotland
Ron Wylie who played for Aston Villa and Birmingham has died aged 86 after a long illness.
He is being referred to as the "finest post-war players" by Villa after also managing teams like West Brom.
Ron played more than 550 league games and passed the 700 mark overall in his career at Upton Park.
He helped Villa secure promotion back to the English top-flight division by winning the second division and then lifted the 1961 League Cup.
Ron retired at the age of 37 after a six-year spell with Villa and spending five years at Birmingham.
The Scotland born midfielder who never had an international cap for his country also managed defunct Hong Kong side Bulova and West Bromwich Albion.
Villa posted a message saying: "Ron Wylie, one of Aston Villa’s finest post-war players, has died at the age of 86 following a long illness.
"The thoughts of everyone at the Club are with Ron’s family and friends at this difficult time."
He worked as a reserve Villa's team manager scout and finally community liaison officer, officially retiring from that post in 2002.
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Meanwhile, Legit.ng had earlier reported that Peter Bonetti has passed on at the age of 78 after losing long battle with illness.
The former Chelsea and England goalkeeper who was nicknamed 'The Cat' played 729 games for the Blues making him the second-highest of all time.
He was part of England's 1966 World Cup winning side but only managed to play seven times for the Three Lions.
Bonetti helped Chelsea win the League Cup in 1965, the FA Cup in 1970 and the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1971.
Chelsea statement read: "Chelsea Football Club is hugely saddened to announce the passing today of one of our indisputably all-time great players, Peter Bonetti.
"Our former goalkeeper had been suffering from long-term illness. All at Chelsea wish to send our heartfelt and deepest condolences to Peter's family and friends.
"Peter Bonetti's position in the pantheon of Chelsea footballing gods is unassailable. He was the Cat who broke the mould, defied the odds, drew the gasps, earned the cheers and got the cream. All in front of an adoring Stamford Bridge."
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Source: Legit.ng
