Bristol Rovers have paid tribute to former defender and manager Don Megson, following his death at the age of 86.
Megson joined the Gas in 1970 and made 31 league appearances in the quarters having spent 10 memorable years with Sheffield Wednesday where he captained the Owls at the 1966 FA Cup final.
He returned to north Bristol as manager in 1972, following retirement, and won the Watney Cup in only his third game in charge, plus two Gloucestershire Cup titles over five years in charge.
His biggest achievement was undoubtedly being one of only three men to have guided the club into the second tier with the 1974 promotion season in which Rovers went 27 games unbeaten to finish second in the old Third Division (now League One).
Megson took charge of 269 games, fifth on the overall list of all Gas managers. His sides characterised by the lethal and legendary attacking duo of Alan Warboys and Bruce Bannister. He also notably brought Gary Mabutt and Paul Randall to Eastville.
In a statement on Twitter, Rovers said: “Rovers are saddened to learn of the passing of former club manager Don Megson at the age of 86. Our thoughts are with Don's family and friends at this very difficult time.”
Megson, whose sons Gary and Neil both played and managed professionally, made his debut for Wednesday in 1959 and helped the side finish runners-up to Bill Nicholson's Tottenham side in Division One in 1961. That meant the club qualified for Europe in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup and they beat Barcelona 3-2 in the first leg of the quarter-finals at Hillsborough, only to lose the away leg 2-0.
Megson made almost 450 appearances for Wednesday before joining Rovers. He also managed Portland Timbers in the United States before returning to England for a short spell at Bournemouth.
"Our thoughts go out to Don's family and friends at this difficult time," Sheffield Wednesday said in a statement. "RIP a true Sheffield Wednesday legend."
SIGN UP: To receive our free Rovers newsletter, bringing you the latest from the Mem
READ NEXT:
