ACCRINGTON Stanley have paid tribute to their record goalscorer Dave ‘Haggis’ Hargreaves who has died aged 64.

Hargreaves, 64, enjoyed two prolific spells with the Reds, from 1974-77 where 141 goals in 132 games earned him a contract at then Second Division Blackburn Rovers – the first fee Stanley received in their new era, following their resignation from the Football League in 1962.

In the 1975-76 season, Hargreaves set the club record, scoring 56 goals in just 44 games which has never been broken, with the Reds in the Lancashire Combination.

He was given his Rovers debut by Jim Smith in their 5-2 away defeat at Blackpool, but his time at Ewood Park was plagued by injury.

Hargreaves departed Rovers two years later to return to Accrington, where he re-found his prolific form.

He celebrated 300 goals in 300 games by the 1983-4 season and left Stanley in 1985, having scored 309 goals in 322 games in total during his Stanley career.

Stanley boss John Coleman said: “Haggis was a legend at Accrington. He was around a lot when I first took over at Accrington in 1999 as he was involved in Accrington Amateurs and I did some presentations for him.

“He was involved in the local leagues and he will sorely missed by the football community of Accrington.”

Dave Baron, who played alongside Hargreaves and managed him, said: “Haggis was a character, he was fabulous in front of goal and scored some fabulous goals.

"I think he could have made it at Blackburn if injuries and other things hadn’t stopped him.

“He was always the first name on the team sheet and he could turn a game in a second. Everybody wanted Haggis in their side and opposition teams were wary of him. He commanded respect from what he did. He holds the record for Accrington Stanley and it will be a long time before this record goes, if ever.”

A club spokesman said: “Everyone at Accrington Stanley passes on their condolences to the family and friends of Dave.”

A Blackburn Rovers spokesman said: “We'd like to send our condolences to Dave's family and friends at this sad time.”

Stanley plan a tribute at their next League One home game against Charlton Athletic on Saturday August 18.