By Aston Villa FC

Aston Villa is sorry to learn of the passing of former player Gordon Lee, who has died at the age of 87.

The thoughts of everyone at the Club are with Gordon’s family and friends at this difficult time.

The Cannock-born full-back was with the club for 11 years, making a total of 142 league and cup appearances and scoring two goals.

He joined Villa from non-League Hednesford Town in 1955, making his debut against Nottingham Forest in September 1958. Villa were relegated that season and Lee didn’t feature as they won promotion back to the top flight at the first attempt.

But he re-established himself in the team in March 1961, playing the final 11 First Division games of the season and helping Villa become the inaugural League Cup winners with a 3-2 aggregate victory over Rotherham United in the final. He was also in the side beaten by Birmingham City in the 1963 final.

Gordon Lee.

His last game for the club was against West Ham United in March 1965 and he ended his career with Shrewsbury Town, before returning to Villa in a scouting capacity and then moving into management.

His first job as boss was at Port Vale and he was subsequently in charge of Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United before leading Everton to the marathon 1977 League Cup final against Villa, which was settled by Brian Little’s extra-time goal in the second replay at Old Trafford.

After four years at Goodison Park, he was appointed Preston North End manager in 1981 – and after a couple of seasons at Deepdale, he was close to an emotional return to Villa Park.

He was interviewed for the job following the departure of Tony Barton in the summer of 1984, although the club eventually opted for Shrewsbury’s Graham Turner.

The following year he took charge of Icelandic club KR Reykjavik, and his final job was as caretaker boss of Leicester City. Taking over after David Pleat was sacked in January 1991, he helped the Foxes to avoid relegation.

Rest in Peace, Gordon.