Gerry Summers, who played for Sheffield United between 1957 and 1964, has died aged 90.
Summers was part of an iconic defence for the Blades, alongside Alan Hodgkinson, Cec Coldwell, Graham Shaw, Brian Richardson and Joe Shaw.
The news was announced on Twitter this morning by Mr Summer’s daughter, Kate.
The club said: “All at Sheffield United are saddened to learn of the passing of the last member of one of the greatest defences ever to grace the Bramall Lane turf, and his name was Gerry Summers.
“We understand he had not been too well since the turn of the year, and he sadly passed away this week. The sincere condolences of Sheffield United go out to his family at this saddest of times.”
Mr Summer’s former clubs such as Gillingham and West Brom also offered their condolences to his family on social media.
He played 260 league games for the club after manager Joe Mercer signed him from his local team West Bromwich Albion.
United fan Michael Mason said: “He was part of a great team… that was the first Blades team I can really remember. RIP.”
Another fan Simon Penney replied to his daughter Kate, saying: “I remember your dad watching your brother and us play football on a Saturday morning before going to manage the Gills in the afternoon. He was one of the reasons I started supporting them for all those years and was a great coach.”
In December, Leicester City players and staff were pictured with Mr Summers amongst others in a care home visit.
Mr Summers also had a career in coaching, as he managed Gillingham and Oxford United, and was a coach at Derby County and Leicester City.
He was also part of a strong United FA Cup run, where they went out in the semi-finals to Leicester city.
In its statement, Sheffield United described Mr Summers as a ‘classy player’ who was regarded by fellow defender Alan Hodgkinson as the ‘brains of the side’.
He was reunited with his former teammate at Gillingham, with Mr Hodgkinson becoming his assistant manager. They both managed players with strong links to The Blades such as Micky Adams and Steve Bruce.