Cyrille Regis, former West Brom and England striker, dies aged 59

Football was engulfed in grief but united in its admiration for Cyrille Regis following his untimely death at the age of 59.

The former West Brom and England striker, who endured grotesque abuse from the terraces in the 1970s and 80s, blazed a trail for black footballers in England through his spellbinding goals and iron will, which transformed attitudes on and off the field, in concert at Albion with Laurie Cunningham and Brendon Batson.

Regis, who died following a heart attack on Sunday, won five England caps between 1982 and 1987, having been one of the shining lights at West Brom from 1977-1984. He scored 112 goals in 297 games for Albion before moving on to Coventry, winning the FA Cup with the Sky Blues in 1987. He was appointed an MBE in 2008.

After the shock and sadness at Regis’s death there was, however, universal celebration of his legacy within the game and the significance of his immense contribution.

A statement from the Hawthorns read: “West Bromwich Albion are today deeply saddened and shocked to confirm that one of our greatest players, Cyrille Regis, has passed away. Cyrille, the iconic figurehead of the club’s legendary ‘Three Degrees’ team of the late 1970s, was taken ill late last night. Cyrille lit up the Hawthorns with his thrilling brand of forward play.

“He also became one of the great symbols of the fight against racism in Britain as a pioneer for black footballers across this nation and beyond. Cyrille is survived by two children Robert and Michelle and three grandchildren Jayda, Renée and Riley.”

His widow, Julia, said: “Cyrille and I were soulmates, he was the perfect man for me and we had a wonderful life together. He was a beautiful man and a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle. Losing him has turned my whole world upside down. It is a void that will never be filled.

“He came into football the hard way and never lost his passion for the game. He was a role model for so many because he always treated everyone he met with kindness and respect.”

Viv Anderson, the first black player to play for England, offered his own tribute, saying: “Cyrille was a demon on the pitch but off it he was a kind and warm-hearted person. All three of them [the Albion trio] were pioneers. I still look up to them. They forged a way for everybody and were admired by all, not just West Brom fans.”

The Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive, Gordon Taylor, added: “Cyrille was a true legend, a great pioneer for equality, a former PFA young player of the year and real gentleman who will be sadly missed by all who knew him.”

Regis was born in French Guiana in February 1958 but moved to London with his family at the age of five. He did not come through the youth ranks with a professional club and was instead spotted playing Sunday morning football.

West Brom signed him for £5,000 in May 1977 and he made a spectacular start, scoring twice in a League Cup tie against Rotherham in September of that year. Along with Cunningham and Batson, he helped “the Three Degrees” team finish third in Division One in 1979 and fourth two years later. After his spell at Coventry, he went on to play for Aston Villa, Wolves, Wycombe and Chester before hanging up his boots in 1996.

Ron Atkinson, who managed Albion from 1978-81, told the BBC: “He got five international caps but today he would get 60 or 70 at least. I think he was the best centre-forward I’ve ever had and I’ve had some top players. But I also think he was a better bloke than a player.

“In full flow there wasn’t a better sight in football. Visiting fans took to him. I can remember us playing at Leeds and we were all getting abuse, but he scored two wonder goals and afterwards he got a standing ovation from the Leeds crowd.”