TRIBUTES have been paid to the East Lancashire-born former captain of Wolverhampton Wanderers and England footballer Bill Slater.

Family said the 91-year-old from Clitheroe died peacefully in his Oxford care home surrounded by loved ones on Tuesday morning.

Mr Slater played for England in the 1958 World Cup, won three league titles in the 1950s and also lifted the FA Cup after leading Wolves to a 3-0 win over Blackburn at Wembley in 1960.

Over the course of his career he also played for Blackpool and Brentford.

He remains the only parttime player to be named Footballer of the Year and also remains the last amateur player to participate in an FA Cup final.

Paying tribute to their former captain, who was inducted into the Wolves Hall of Fame in 2010, a spokesman for the club said: “Slater captured the hearts of Wolves supporters during the club’s most successful period and he will be remembered with great fondness by many people in the city and beyond.

“The thoughts of everyone at Wolves are with Bill’s family and friends at this sad time.”

The former midfielder made 339 appearances for the club, playing four times in 1958 World Cup and in the 1952 Olympic Games.

In 1982 he received an OBE and in 1998 a CBE. The father-of-four was also an academic, working as director of PE at both Liverpool and Birmingham University.

Mr Slater also acted as gymnastics coach for his daughter Barbara, who represented Great Britain in the 1976 Montreal Olympics.

Paying tribute to her father, Ms Slater said: “We are all extremely saddened by his death. “He was kind, a gentleman, and a true inspiration. He was the sort of man who always wanted to do his best by others.

“He achieved so much in his working life but was just as equally committed to his family.” Mr Slater leaves his children Johnathan, Diana, Timothy and Barbara, as well as eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Ms Slater added: “His face would light up when the family and grandchildren went to visit him. He was a true inspiration and support for our whole family."