Burnley FC legend Ralph Coates dies

The County Durham born winger joined Burnley in 1961, and went on to score 32 goals for the club in 261 appeances, during a career that also saw him play for Tottenham and Orient.

Coates was an outstanding wide player, who won two of his four England caps while playing for one of the great Burnley sides of the 1960’s and 70’s.

After leaving Burnley in 1971 he joined Tottenham Hotspur for a fee of £190,000 and went on to play over 300 games for the club, collecting both a Uefa Cup and League Cup winner’s medal during his time there.

Burnley Football Club chief executive Paul Fletcher played up front with Coates at the beginning of his career and speaking about the death he said: “He is still very much one of the sons of Burnley Football Club and someone who came through the revered youth system and went on to bigger and better things.

“He was revered here and it is a very sad day for everyone. He will be very sadly missed.”

Former Burnley captain Martin Dobson, who was in the Burnley first team with Ralph from 1967-1971, also played tribute to the former Clarets winger.

Dobson, now working as Director of Youth Development at Turf Moor, said: “I think the greatest compliment I can give Ralph is that he was a great guy.

“He was immensely popular with the fans and in the dressing room and he always had a smile on his face.

“You just knew the supporters were genuinely happy to see Ralph playing for Burnley Football Club and there’s not many players who have that warmth and affection.

“He was just a smashing guy and it’s a sad, sad loss.”

Following the end of his playing career, Coates worked in the leisure industry and remained involved at Tottenham as a match-day host.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp spoke of the club’s loss when he said: “He was just a great guy, one of life’s nice fellas.”

Former Burnley MP Peter Pike speaking on behalf of the Clarets Trust, said: “I express my sorrow at the sad news of the death of Ralph Coates and extend our deepest sympathy at this time to all his family.

Ralph truly was one of the great Claret legends and it was good to have known him and I know we all share the sorrow at his death at such an early age.”

The flag at Turf Moor will now fly at half mast in remebrance of Coates.