Former Rochdale AFC player Ray Aspden who played in the club's famous run to the League Cup Final in 1962 has died, aged 83.
News of the passing of Ray, who played as a centre-half, has been posted on the club's website.
He was one of Dale's 'all-time stalwarts' and for a time was both the club's youngest ever player and their appearance record holder.
This was despite the 'most inauspicious of starts' when the team lost on his debut, 7-2 to Chesterfield in 1955.
READ MORE: Rochdale AFC chairman hails 'bright future' after takeover collapse
He didn’t appear again until the following March and with his National Service in the 7th Royal Tank Regiment intervening, it was halfway through 1958/59 before he got in the side again, taking over from Bev Glover.
Ray, born in Darwen near Blackburn, played in several renowned Dale sides in the early sixties, figuring in the historic run to the League Cup Final in 1962 and the promotion near-miss of 1965, eventually clocking-up 297 Football League appearances and 326 in all competitions. He is fifth on the club's all-time appearances list.
Settling in Rochdale, close to Spotland, after retirement, Ray was one of the legends invited to the Centenary celebrations in 2007.
The post said: "Our thoughts are with Ray's family and friends at this sad time."
It is understood that after retiring from the game he continued to live in Rochdale, near the ground.
No funeral arrangements have yet been announced.
Get the latest headlines to your inbox with our newsletters.
