THE wife of Blackburn Rovers legend Bryan Douglas has died after a battle with lung cancer.

Joyce Douglas, 75, was devoted to her family, especially her five grand-children, and two great grandchildren.

Her death comes just four months after Bryan’s best friend, Ronnie Clayton, passed away.

Bryan said: “She was my good luck charm. After we got married in 1955, I went on a great run at the club and I always credited her with that.

“She had been ill for a long time, but her death came quickly in the end.

"The house is full of cards. That’s how well thought of she was.”

Ronnie’s widow, Valerie, said the death completed a ‘double whammy’ for the families who had been close ever since Ronnie and Bryan met 55 years ago as Rovers players.

Mrs Clayton said: “She was a fun-loving girl who was a real family person.

"She lived for her grandchildren and loved spending time with them and going on holiday with them.

“We are all so upset at her death. Over the years she has given Bryan so much support.

"She was a great supporter of the club and always backed him in what he did with Rovers.”

Mrs Douglas was diagnosed with cancer three-and-a-half years ago.

She died on Monday, at Royal Blackburn Hospital, with her family, and Mrs Clayton, by her side.

Mrs Douglas had been with Bryan since they were just 15 and the couple, after initially living in Branch Road, Lower Darwen, after getting married, moved to Darwen, where they had lived ever since.

Mrs Clayton said her friend loved holidays, which they often took together as couples, especially trips to Scotland and cruises.

She said: “Coming so soon after Ron’s sudden death, for all of our families and friends, it has been a double whammy.”

Bryan and Ronnie are two of Rovers’ most popular-ever players, having made 1,168 appearances between them in the 1950s and 1960s.

The pair became firm friends playing for Rovers and England, experiencing a World Cup, relegation, promotion, and FA Cup final defeat, together.

A Blackburn Rovers spokesman said: “It is very sad to hear the news of Joyce’s death.

"The thoughts of everyone at the club, and everyone connected with Blackburn Rovers, are with Bryan and his family at this sad time.”

Mrs Douglas’s funeral will take place on Tuesday, at 10.30am, at St Bartholomew’s Church, in Jack Walker Way, Blackburn, before a burial at New Darwen Cemetery.