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Tributes to former Bristol Rovers player Ray Mabbutt

Tributes have been paid to former football player Ray Mabbutt, who played for Bristol Rovers.

RIP Ray Mabbutt 1936 - 2016 Credit: Bristol Rovers

Bristol Rovers have said they are saddened to learn of the death of their former player, who passed away at the age of 80 after suffering a heart attack.

Mabbutt signed for Rovers when he was 20 for just £9 a week.

He went on to play almost 400 times for the club over 15 years. He was still playing - for West Harptree - in his 40s.

He proved to be an exceptional signing, for he was still performing to a high standard over a decade later, having served the club through the majority of the glory years in Division Two and, following relegation in 1962, the seasons of re-establishing the side in third tier football.

A solid, dependable wing half.

– Bristol Rovers, via their website

You might say football was in Mabbutt's blood - two of his three sons grew up to become stars.

Kevin played for Bristol City before being signed by Crystal Palace, while Gary followed his father's footsteps to play for Bristol Rovers before going on to Tottenham Hotspur. He was capped 16 times for England.