BREAKING NEWS: Manchester City legend Glyn Pardoe, winner of 1968 league title and the club’s youngest ever player, dies aged 73
- Former Manchester City player and coach Glyn Pardoe has passed away aged 73
- Pardoe had spent his entire career with City between the years of 1962 and 1976
- City revealed they were ‘deeply saddened’ to learn of Pardoe’s death on Tuesday
Manchester City icon Glyn Pardoe died in the early hours of Tuesday morning at the age of 73, the club have announced.
The club legend, who represented them as both a player and coach, helped City win the league title in 1968 and also netted the winner in the 1970 League Cup final.
After the sad news broke, Manchester City wrote on Twitter: ‘Everyone at City is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Glyn Pardoe.
Manchester City legend Glyn Pardoe has passed away at the age of 73, the club confirmed
The versatile former star had spent his entire playing career with City between 1962 and 1976
‘Our thoughts and condolences go out to his friends and family at this difficult time.’
Pardoe spent his entire playing career with City between 1962 and 1976, and remained on the coaching staff until 1992.
He remains the youngest star to play for the club, having been awarded his debut against Birmingham in April 1962 as a 15-year-old.
The versatile former star made 380 appearances in total for the Premier League giants, lifting several trophies – with City also clinching the FA Cup in 1969 and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1970.
Pardoe (third left) is pictured with the FA Cup after Manchester City won the trophy in 1969
He remains the youngest player to play for the club after making his debut in 1962 aged 15
Pardoe played in every position apart from centre back for City, and netted the extra-time winner against West Brom in the 1970 League Cup final after being fielded as a forward.
But after breaking his leg in a tackle with George Best during a Manchester derby in 1970, Pardoe struggled to regain his spot in the side following a lengthy period of recovery.
Pardoe and his late former team-mate Mike Doyle were both grandfather to Tommy Doyle, the young midfielder who made his professional City debut in the League Cup last October.
After hearing the news, Doyle tweeted: ‘Forever my hero! I love you so much. Rest easy.’
Pardoe and late former team-mate Mike Doyle were both grandfather to City star Tommy Doyle
Fellow City legend Colin Bell paid an emotional tribute to Pardoe, saying: ‘They didn’t come any better as player or as a person than Glyn.
‘Glyn was a great lad and so underrated as a player. The thing was that no-one got the better of him as he was such a good full back it wasn’t true.
‘He was a terrific defender and I’m sure that but for that bad leg break he suffered in 1970 Glyn would have played for England.
‘Glyn was also so consistent – week to week he gave 100 per cent and never let us down. Wingers used to dread playing against City as they would come up against Glyn.
‘Just as importantly he was a wonderful guy with a lovely personality. Glyn had no edge to him at all and he never changed.
Fellow City legend Colin Bell paid an emotional tribute to Pardoe after hearing of his passing
‘He was also our youngest ever player which tells you everything.
‘We used to pal together the four of us – Glyn, Oakey, Mike and I when we went away. We all stuck together and were all very close. We all had the same sort of personalities.
‘Glyn summed up everything good about the Club.’
Joey Barton also paid his respects on Twitter. He wrote: ‘RIP Glyn Pardoe. Thoughts are with his family and friends.’
More to follow.