Pictures: Albion legend Don Howe dies
Legendary West Brom defender and one-time manager Don Howe has died aged 80.
Wolverhampton-born Howe made 379 appearances for the Club, scoring 19 times, during a 14-year spell at the Hawthorns.
He also played for Arsenal and won 23 caps for England. Having helped Arsenal to the League and Cup double as a coach in 1971, Howe returned to Albion as manager, where he spent four years.
In 2004, he was named as one of West Bromwich Albion's 16 greatest players, in a poll organised as part of the Club's 125th anniversary celebrations.
Albion's club publications editor Dave Bowler, described Howe as: "A man of principle and of vision, sometimes a prophet in the wilderness and a footballer of breathless magnificence."
Alan Cleverley, secretary of the supporters' club, believes Howe was the club's best right-back since the second world war.
He said: "Don was an immaculate full-back. He wasn't a clogger as was common in those days.
"Don was better than that and, like his great friend Bobby Robson, went on to become a successful manager.
"He didn't have the best of times here as manager but some of the younger players benefited from his coaching methods in later years.
"He was a great coach with England and Arsenal and his legacy will live on forever. He will be greatly missed by Albion fans."
FA chairman Greg Dyke said: "It is terribly sad news and our thoughts are with Don's family at this time. He is widely regarded as being in the vanguard of coaching in England.
"I know that his loss will be keenly felt amongst the coaching fraternity in particular and not least by Roy Hodgson, who was close to Don.
"He was a fine player – named as one of West Bromwich Albion's finest – and, of course, he went on to play an integral part in Arsenal's history as a coach and later as manager.
"For his country, he not only appeared in a World Cup, but he was instrumental in both Sir Bobby Robson's management team for Italia '90 and Euro '96, where he assisted Terry Venables.
"Even in his latter years, I understand he continued to pass on his knowledge and advice to aspiring young coaches.
"It is a great loss for English football, especially following on so soon after the sad passing of Jimmy Hill."
Arsenal chairman Sir Chips Keswick added: "We were aware Don had been enduring a long battle with illness, but it was still a shock to learn the news.
"He's someone who was loved by so many people at the club, and who had such a remarkable influence as a player, coach and manager here.
"Don possessed a marvellous ability to get the very best out of players with his coaching techniques and provide them with the perfect preparation for matches.
"He was the very best at what he did - and he did it with us, at Arsenal, for decade after decade.
"He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him and his name will live on in the history books as one of the most influential footballing figures in the history of the club."
