Former England international and coach Don Howe has passed away at the age of 80.
Howe made 23 appearances for the Three Lions during a two-year international playing career, starting every match at the 1958 World Cup and holding eventual champions Brazil to a goalless draw in that tournament - the first stalemate in World Cup history.
The full-back was most closely associated with West Bromwich Albion at club level, making 379 appearances for the Baggies before finishing his playing career at Arsenal, where he made a further 74 appearances.
Howe is best remembered as a coach, however, having had a major impact for both club and country behind the scenes.
Ron Greenwood, Sir Bobby Robson and Terry Venables all had him amongst their backroom staff during their time in charge of the England team, while he was assistant manager at Arsenal when they won the double in 1971.
Howe also helped the Gunners to three further FA Cup finals between 1978 and 1980, winning the trophy in 1979 and again in 1988 when Wimbledon produced one of the biggest upsets in FA Cup final history by beating Liverpool.
"It is terribly sad news and our thoughts are with Don's family at this time. He is widely regarded as being in the vanguard of coaching in England, and I know that his loss will be keenly felt amongst the coaching fraternity in particular and not least by Roy Hodgson, who was close to Don," FA chairman Greg Dyke said in a statement.
"He was a fine player – named as one of West Bromwich Albion's finest – and, of course, he went on to play an integral part in Arsenal's history as a coach and later as manager. For his country, he not only appeared in a World Cup, but he was instrumental in both Sir Bobby Robson's management team for Italia '90 and Euro '96 where he assisted Terry Venables.
"Even in his latter years I understand he continued to pass on his knowledge and advice to aspiring young coaches. It is a great loss for English football, especially following on so soon after the sad passing of Jimmy Hill."
Howe also turned his hand to management himself and spent time in charge at Arsenal, West Brom, Queens Park Rangers, Coventry City and Galatasaray.
Barney Corkhill
