Tributes to former Baggies winger Geoff Richards
He 'ate and slept' football throughout his life.
Now tributes have been paid to Geoff Richards, who has died aged 85.
He was a winger for the Baggies in his early footballing career, playing in three matches with the first team.
He went on to play for Stafford Rangers, Atherstone Town, Bilston Town and was the player manager at Hednesford Town for two years.
The father-of-one died from pneumonia at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton with his daughter holding his hand on Thursday (8), having been unwell for two years following numerous strokes.
His daughter Diane Hadlington today described him as 'wonderful', 'friendly' and willing to do 'anything for anybody'.
She added: "His life was football. He ate and slept it.
"If you gave him a hammer or a screwdriver he would cause mayhem, but if you gave him a ball he would work magic with it.
"He was a true sportsman throughout his life."
At West Bromwich Albion FC, father-of-one Mr Richards played mostly for the reserves as the club had many wingers at the time, but he played with the first team from 1943 to 1952.
