Former Everton scout and Aston Villa star Geoffrey Fellows has died of coronavirus aged 76.
His family have paid a touching tribute to the footballing legend, describing him as a "gentleman" with a "heart of gold".
According to Birmingham Live, Mr Fellows was born in West Bromwich and became a local treasure after playing for Aston Villa in the 1970s and then securing the captaincy at Shrewsbury Town following a 10-year career.
Geoffrey died on Sunday, January 17 after contracting coronavirus.
His heartbroken daughter Claire Stackhouse said: “His death has left a big hole in our family and the community.
"Dad was a gentleman and everyone that knew him also called him a gentleman.”
After becoming injured in 1974, Geoffrey was forced to hang up his football boots but continued to help youngsters in the community with their passion for the sport and even went on to scout for Everton.
Ms Stackhouse added: “Football was his first love. He had a heart of gold where football was concerned, that was his main passion.
“Two of his grandsons have followed in his footsteps and now play for Bustleholme and Red Star in Walsall Wood.
"He’s one of the founders of Bustleholme and they have named a trophy after him so his legacy will live on.
"With the last few years of his life, Geoffrey suffered from dementia and Alzheimer’s. After becoming disorientated over Christmas he was taken to hospital where he later tested positive for coronavirus.
“It was just one battle too many."
Recalling her visiting to the hospital during the pandemic, she added: “There are far too many people flouting the rules, we went on a Covid ward and have seen the devastation it is causing.
"If it wasn’t for Covid and the hospital being overrun, my dad would be home now.
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“The doctor phoned us last week and said he was medically fit to come home but then he caught Covid.
“Within three weeks the ward that he was on became a Covid ward and every patient tested positive. It was unbelievable.”
She added: “We won’t be able to give him the send-off that he deserves and a lot of people can’t attend it.
"When it’s safe, a football tournament will be held in his honour and fans will be asked to applaud for one minute."
