FORMER Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Harry Leyland has died after a short illness at the age of 76.
Leyland, a member of the 1960 FA Cup team that lost to Wolverhampton Wanderers, began his career at Everton but was forced to play for non-league side Tonbridge after his release.
But he was rescued from the football abyss by Rovers manager Johnny Carey who saw the Liverpudlian stopper as an ideal replacement for Reg Elvy in 1956.
In five happy years at Ewood Park, Leyland made 188 appearances including helping Rovers to promotion from the old second division and to an FA Cup Final in 1960.
After a fine career with Rovers, he made a further 180 appearances for Tranmere Rovers before winding up his professional career as player-manager of then non-league Wigan Athletic.
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