FORMER Blackburn Rovers striker Kevin Stonehouse has died suddenly, aged 59.

He made 91 appearances for the club between 1979 and 1983, scoring 29 goals.

Former Ewood Park colleagues Simon Garner and Derek Fazackerley paid tribute to ‘a nice feller’ who both scored crucial goals and contributed to team spirit with is cheerful humourous disposition.

Mr Stonehouse, whose death was announced at the weekend, had recently returned from a European scouting mission for Newcastle United where he was key part of the back-room staff.

Born in Bishop Auckland in 1959, Mr Stonehouse left Ewood Park to sign for Huddersfield Town and went on to play for Blackpool, Darlington, Carlisle United, Rochdale and Bishop Auckland.

A Blackburn Rovers club spokesman said: “Rovers are saddened to learn of the passing of former player Kevin Stonehouse.

“Stonehouse spent four years at Ewood Park (1979-1983), making 91 appearances and scoring 29 goals.

“Our thoughts are with Kevin’s family and friends at this incredibly sad time.”

Mr Garner, a forward partner of Mr Stonehouse, said: “This is a shock. He was only young.

“Kevin was a nice feller.

“He was good to play with and I got on well with him.

“Quite often he came off the bench as a substitute and scored crucial goals.”

Rovers record appearance holder and former centre-back Mr Fazackerley said: “Kevin was a great lad.

“He was the life and soul of the party off the pitch, always laughing and chirpy.

“Kevin had a great sense of humour.

“A left-sided player with a great left foot, he often came off the bench and scored great goals.

“With his red hair, although he used to say it was strawberry-blond, fans would compare him to David Fairclough, Liverpool’s ‘Supersub’ who used to do the same.

“When he was sold to Huddersfield Town - w ho came and made a big offer for him - I recall the fee helped Rovers through a difficult financial time.

“It’s terribly sad for his family.”

After playing for Darlington in the late 1980s, he led that club’s Football in the Community scheme for many years, coaching thousands of young players.

Former Darlington captain Kevan Smith said: “I’m absolutely devastated. There certainly aren’t enough words to describe a truly good human being such as he was.”