Former Everton manager Howard Kendall passed away on Saturday aged 69 and FA Chairman Greg Dyke paid tribute to the man the Goodison Park club called their "most successful manager."
Born in County Durham in May 1946, Kendall began his career at Preston North End with whom he played in the 1964 FA Cup Final against West Ham United, just shy of his 18th birthday.
In 1967 he joined the Toffees, where he would become a legend both on the pitch and in the dugout. He won the League title with Everton as a player in 1970, and as boss in 1985 and again in 87.
Kendall also led the club to FA Cup success in 1984 and then lifted the European Cup Winners' Cup a year later.
In a statement on Saturday morning, Everton announced: "It is with great sadness that Everton Football Club has learned of the passing of Howard Kendall.
"The most successful manager in the history of the club and one of the greatest players to pull on the Everton jersey.
"He passed away in hospital in Southport this morning at the age of 69, surrounded by loved ones.
"The thoughts of everyone associated with the club are with Howard's family at this difficult time."
As well as Everton, Kendall also played for Birmingham City, Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers - as player-manager - before hanging up his boots back at his beloved Everton while he started his first stint as boss.
He also managed Manchester City, Notts County and Sheffield United in England, while experiencing spells abroad with Athletic Bilbao in Spain as well as Xanthi and Ethnikos Piraeus in Greece - his last role in management in 1999.
But it was in the '64 Cup Final that FA Chairman Dyke can recall seeing him for the first time.
He said: "Howard Kendall was one of the great English managers, and also had a wonderful playing career.
"I can remember him appearing in the 1964 FA Cup Final as a 17-year-old and, of course, finally getting his hands on the trophy when his Everton team won at Wembley in 1984."
Dyke added: "He will be much missed by everyone in the game and, on behalf of all at The FA, my sincere condolences go to his family and friends."
