A SPURS legend who helped the club to win the League Cup in 1973 has died following a short illness, it has been announced.

Winger Ralph Coates scored the winning goal in that final, and was also part of the side which won the UEFA Cup the season before.

He started his career with Burnley in 1964, and had already been capped for England when he moved to Tottenham in May 1971 for a fee of £190,000.

He made 248 appearances for the club, scoring 24 goals, and came off the bench to score his most important goal in the final against Norwich in 1973.

the club, in a statement on their website, said: “An extremely likeable man who always had time for a chat with supporters, Ralph was popular part of our behind-the-scenes matchday team in recent seasons.

“He will be sadly missed by all.”

His family thanked the club, past players, friends, and fans for their kind words and offers of support, via the website.

Ralph Coates died aged 64, in a Bedfordshire hospital on Friday, November 17, following a short illness.