PRESTON North End veterans have blasted the club for not remembering an ex-footballer dubbed 'one of the most inspirational players ever'.

Members of the club's Past Players Association say they are bitterly disappointed that the death of defender Willie Forbes, who played for PNE during the 50s, was not remembered at Deepdale.

Now the former players, many of whom helped make Preston North End a household name during the team's glory years, are urging club bosses not to make the same mistake again.

Walter Horam, an association member, said: "I think it is a great shame the club failed to acknowledge Willy's death.

"He was one of the most sterling members of Preston's most famous half-back lines and received the man of the match in 1954.

"It is as if North End have forgotten about us."

Glasgow-born Willie joined North End in 1949 and spent six seasons at Deepdale. He was one of the most dreaded defenders in the league during his time, with only an elite handful of strikers passing him to get to goal. He moved to Carlisle United in 1956.

He lived in Bamber Bridge until he died earlier this month, aged 76.

Walter is now hoping that club bosses learn from their mistakes and make sure all ex-players are remembered in the future.

He added: "Should another great servant of the club be lost, we hope the directors will see fit to remember them because there are so many members of our association who have done so much to make North End what it is today."

Derek Shaw, deputy chairman of the club, said: "We did do a profile piece on Willy in the programme recently.

"But he left the club 30 years ago and although we have high respect for Willy, most of today's fans would have asked 'Willy Who?'

"If we are not careful, we would be doing a minute's silence every week."

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