Tributes have been pouring in on Twitter after the death of former footballer, Cyrille Regis.
The former West Brom and England forward reportedly had a sudden heart attack last night and died aged 59.
Councillor Ian Cruise was among the many who tweeted honouring the man:
”So sad to hear the news of the death of Cyrille Regis. A torch bearer for black players in the 1970’s along with Laurie Cunningham & Brendan Batson. An outstanding striker who graced many WM teams transcending partisanship. Thoughts with Cyrille’s family RIP
#CyrilleRegis”
Regis was the third black player to be capped by England at the highest level after Viv Anderson and Laurie Cunningham.
In his 19-year-long career, he made 614 league appearances and scored 158 goals, playing for West Bromwich Albion, Coventry City and Aston Villa.
A Young Regis was spotted playing football one Sunday morning by the chairman of a non-leaue club Molesey. West Brom then went on to sign him in 1977 for £5,000.
Along with Laurie Cunningham and Brendon Batson, who joined Albion in 1978, the players were famously labelled ‘The Three Degrees’.
After retiring in 1996 he worked as an agent for the Stellar Group.
Cyrille Regis was awarded an MBE by the Queen in the 2008 Birthday Honours.
His last tweet before he died was a photograph of Laurie Cunningham.
Says it all. pic.twitter.com/GoCs5dtVNC
— Cyrille Regis Legacy Trust (@cyrilleregis) October 1, 2017
Geoff Snape, secretary of West Brom Albions Former Players Association says that Cyrille was one of the nicest man he knew.
Stephen Head, the European Scout for the Wolves remembers doing his FA Advanced Coaching Licence with Regis and his interactions with the man during his agent days. ”Always had a story or two to tell, a loss to the game,” he tweeted.
We have made a Twitter Moments for the tribute messages that have been coming in since the news broke.
Tributes pour in for West Brom legend Cyrille Regis after his death
I recall going to the Odeon New Street in Birmingham around the mid 1970’s to see the ‘Blaxploitation’ movies: ‘Shaft’ with Richard Rowntree and ‘The Harder they come’ the biopic of reggae superstar Jimmy Cliff and seeing Cyrille Regis with his fellow WBA players Laurie Cunningham and Brendan Batson coming down the stairs from the cinema circle, having watched these films. It made a great impression on me as a teenager to see my heroes out at the pictures…..RIP Cyrille, you will be missed. Keith Bracey