Former Bristol City and Rovers assistant Clive Middlemass has died aged 77.
Middlemass was Terry Cooper's No2 at the Robins for five years from 1982 following the sacrifices of the Ashton Gate 8 who tore up their contracts to save the club.
The duo earned the Robins promotion from Division Four during the 1983-94 season, and also led the side to Wembley where the duo oversaw a Freight Rover Trophy win over Bolton Wanderers.
A year prior, he was assistant at Rovers, also to Cooper, following a seven-year playing career with Workington which ended abruptly following a car crash. After leaving City, Middlemass went on to manage Carlilse for four years which included a famous FA Cup tie with Liverpool.
Bristol City's former players association paid tribute online with the message: "Sad to hear of the passing of Clive Middlemass at the age of 77. Clive was Assistant to Terry Cooper from 1982- 87. Love to his family."
Middlemass would also have a stint at Darlington as coach before spending six years at Burnley, first as an assistant manager before becoming their chief scout. He then took a similar role at Preston and Derby before retiring following a three-year stint with Everton as an opposition scout.
Tributes have poured in for Middlemass online. Burnley wrote: "We are saddened to learn of the loss of former assistant manager, Clive Middlemass. Our thoughts are with his family and friends."
Workington added: "It is with great sadness that we report the passing of another Workington hero of the sixties Clive Middlemass."
Carlisle chairman Andrew Jenkins told the club's website : "This is such sad news. Clive was a friend, we kept in touch, and he would often ring me before games to wish us luck.
“He was so well respected, and the number of people who would phone to ask for his number, just so they could get some advice off him, was incredible.
“It goes without saying that our thoughts and condolences go to his family and friends. He will be missed.”
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