Ray Wilson, a World Cup winner with England in 1966, has died aged 83, his former clubs Huddersfield and Everton have announced.
Wilson had been diagnosed with Alzheimerâs disease in 2004.
âHuddersfield Town is devastated to learn of the passing of World Cup winner Ramon âRayâ Wilson MBE at the age of 83,â read a club statement.
âRay is arguably the most successful and best-known player ever to pull on a Huddersfield Town shirt, having been a key member of Englandâs World Cup-winning team in 1966.â
Wilson made his England debut in 1960 and went on to win 63 caps for his country, 30 of those as a Huddersfield player.
He joined Everton in 1964 and reached the pinnacle of his career in the summer of 1966 as part of Sir Alf Ramseyâs England team which beat West Germany in the World Cup final at Wembley.
âUntil very recently, he was a regular supporter of the Terriers at home match days alongside his eldest son Russell despite battling Alzheimerâs disease, which he was diagnosed with in 2004,â Huddersfieldâs statement said.
âThe thoughts of everyone at Huddersfield Town are with Rayâs wife Pat, his sons Russ and Neil and the rest of his family and friends at this difficult time.â
Wilson, who remains Huddersfieldâs most-capped England player, made 283 appearances for the club between 1952 and 1964 and a further 154 for Everton before he joined Oldham in 1969.
âEverton Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Ray Wilson,â read a statement on their official website.
âUnquestionably one of the finest footballers to wear the royal blue jersey, Ray passed away on Tuesday evening, aged 83, at The Bell House care home in Huddersfield.
âThe thoughts of everybody at Everton Football Club are with Rayâs wife Pat, sons Russell and Neil, and all of his family and friends.
âWilsonâs status as a Goodison Park great was underlined when he was named Everton Giant for 2002.â
Wilson featured in a formidable back four for Ramseyâs England when they became world champions in 1966, lining up at left-back alongside fellow defenders Bobby Moore, Jack Charlton and George Cohen.
Captain Moore, who died of cancer in 1993, was a big admirer of his former team-mate.
âIt was a comfort to play alongside him,â Moore once said. âHe was a fiery little fellow, who would stand up to all the pressure. He always looked good.â
Former Everton team-mate Joe Royle described Wilson, who also won the FA Cup with the Merseyside club in 1966, as a âmaestroâ and the âbest of his kind at the timeâ.
âHe is a World Cup winner and played in the last England team that had four, maybe five, world class players â and he was certainly one of those,â Royle said. âAnd he was a top guy, always there with a smile or a helpful word.â