FORMER Blackburn Rovers player Ken Clayton, the older brother of club legend Ronnie Clayton, has died aged 81.

Ken arrived at Ewood Park, along with Ronnie, in 1949 and went to make 77 appearances for the club before serious injury effectively ended his Rovers career.

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Ken made his first-team debut in a 2-1 home defeat to Birmingham City on November 22, 1952.

But it was not until the 1955-56 season – the same season in which Ronnie won the first of his 35 England caps – that he truly established himself in then manager Johnny Carey’s starting line-up.

The following season Ken was an ever present until he suffered a broken leg in a 2-1 defeat at Middlesbrough on April 6, 1957.

Ken, like Ronnie a wing-half, played just three further games for the club with his final appearance coming in a 3-0 loss at Birmingham on April 22, 1959.

A Rovers spokesperson said: “Rovers would like to offer our sincere condolences to Ken’s family and friends at this sad time.”