A FORMER Blackburn Rovers footballer has died after undergoing an operation to remove a leg.

Robert Herbert Priday, who joined the Ewood Park side towards the end of the 1948-9 season, died on Wednesday morning in a South African hospital at the age of 74.

He suffered from diabetes and as a result developed gangrene in his leg. He underwent an operation a week ago to have the limb removed.

His funeral will be held in Johannesburg, where he will be cremated, and his ashes placed in in his wife Dorothy's grave in Cape Town. His Blackburn-born wife of 35 years died three years ago at the age of 69.

The African winger joined Liverpool Football Club during the last season of wartime football .

He went on to score six goals in 33 League appearances for the Anfield club.

He later moved to Ewood Park but eventually lost his place in the 1950-51 season.

Mr Priday spent some time in non-league football after leaving Rovers and later joined Accrington Stanley but was injured on his debut and made only five League appearances.

He also played five League games for Rochdale.

In 1963, his football career over, he returned home to South Africa, where he lived with his wife and six children in Cape Town. He worked at The Tin Box Company as an administration officer until his retirement.

Two his six children died in tragic circumstances when very young. Isabell collapsed and died playing hockey and Stephen slipped in a ditch and drowned.

Mr Priday also leaves behind two grandsons and two brothers Mick and Edward.

His sister-in-law Mrs Monica Woodworth, who lives in Blackburn, said: "Everyone is very upset. We were so fond of him.

"He was quite a character and very well known in Blackburn during the time he was playing football."

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