THE wife of ex-Burnley player and manager Frank Casper has died after a short illness.

Brenda Casper, 67, passed away with her family by her side at her home in Burnley on Saturday.

Her funeral will be held at St John the Evangelist Church, Worsthorne, on Tuesday September 6 at 10.30am.

Among her close family, Mrs Casper leaves sons Lee and Chris, four grandchildren and sister Rita.

Her family have asked that donations if desired are made to Pendleside Hospice or The Macmillan Cancer Support c/o Alderson and Horan Funeral Services, 128 Rossendale Road, Burnley, BB11 5DH.

Husband Frank, 66, cost Burnley £30,000 from Rotherham in 1967.

He was top scorer in each of his first two seasons with the Clarets, part of the side that won the Second Division in 1973, and chalked up 74 league goals in more than 230 games.

He became caretaker manager in 1983, when he oversaw a famous League Cup win away at Tottenham Hotspur, and was permanent manager from 1989 to 1991.