Everton pay respects to legend Labone

Tributes have been paid to the former Everton FC and England player Brian Labone who died last night at the age of 66.

Record
Regarded as one of the best central defenders of his era, Labone won 26 caps and played in the 1970 FIFA World Cup finals having pulled out of the squad that won the 1966 edition as he was due to get married. He joined Everton as a 17-year-old and went on to make 534 appearances for the Goodison Park team - a club record for an outfield player - winning the English title in 1963 and 1970 and the FA Cup in 1966.

'Great footballer'
Labone passed away unexpectedly following a supporters' club dinner on Monday. Everton chairman Bill Kenwright, who was among those fans, said of Labone: "I am pretty certain that it will be a very long time before we again see a one-club player with more than 500 appearances to his name. Brian Labone was a truly great footballer and a marvellous leader of men."

Moyes shock
Everton manager David Moyes also told the club's official website: "[Brian] always had a good word of support for myself and the team whenever I was in his company. I was shocked to hear he had passed away and my sympathies go out to all his family and friends."