TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Blackburn Rovers player who has died at the age of 76.

Mike Ferguson was born in Burnley and made more than 200 career appearances for the Ewood Park side between 1962 and 1968.

Rovers have described him as ‘one of the most naturally gifted players of his generation’ who was a part of the great Rovers side of the 1960s.

‘Fergie’, as he was affectionately known by fans, started out at Plymouth Argyle and arrived at Rovers after leaving Accrington Stanley in 1962.

He was originally an inside forward, but manager Jack Marshall converted him into an outside right and then he turned into a wing wizard.

A spokesman for Blackburn Rovers said Ferguson was ‘a natural crowd pleaser, who revelled in Rovers’ attacking style of play.

The club said: “A team-mate of Rovers legends Bryan Douglas and Ronnie Clayton, Ferguson spent six seasons at Ewood Park, making 249 appearances and scoring 36 goals. His superb solo effort in a 4-0 win at Aston Villa in September 1964 will live long in the memory.

“The thoughts of everyone at Rovers are with Mike’s family and friends at this very difficult time.”

Speaking in 2010 to the Lancashire Telegraph, Ferguson believed that his spell under Jack Marshall was memorable.

He said: “I will never forget the pleasure of playing in the same team as Ronnie Clayton, Fred Pickering, Bryan Douglas and all the others.

“It was the best team I ever played in – by a mile, and I played in some good teams.”

Ferguson left Rovers to join Aston Villa in 1968, before taking in spells with Queens Park Rangers, Cambridge United, Los Angeles Aztecs and Rochdale, where he would later return as manager.

He also managed teams in Cyprus and Iceland who took part in the European Cup and was part of Terry Venables’ England scouting network during the build up to Euro ‘96.

He also talked about football had changed from his era.

“All managers now are always looking over their shoulders because owners are scared stiff of relegation,” said Ferguson in 2010.

“Who can blame the managers for not letting their teams play with freedom?

“There is too much riding on it.

"Managers today are petrified.

"Jack Marshall was never petrified, he just let us go out and play.”