Former Man City player Roy Cheetham dies, aged 79

The ex-treasurer of the Manchester City Former Players' Association passes away in his sleep a day after attending the Manchester derby

Former Manchester City player Roy Cheetham, who holds a unique place in the club’s history, has died, aged 79.

A native of Newton Heath , but born in Eccles , Roy was for many years the treasurer of City’s Former Players’ Association.

He attended Saturday’s derby , which City lost 2-1, and died in his sleep on Sunday night.

That was poignant in itself, as one of his first City appearances was against United in September 1958 when, as an 18-year-old, he was up against Bobby Charlton.

He said in a later interview: "I was still only 18 and there were about 63,000 at Maine Road, and here I was playing alongside my heroes Trautmann, Barnes, Hayes, Ewing and the others, against another team of heroes – Dennis Viollet and Bobby Charlton.

"The game started and within the first few minutes I gave United a penalty – apparently I’d cut Bobby Charlton’s legs from under him! – and I thought this was it. I thought I’d never play again."

But the wing half recovered to be named man of the match by some as the Blues fought back to a 1-1 draw.

His claim to fame at City was that he was the first-ever Blues substitute. Subs were introduced in 1965, and on August 30, Mike Summerbee cut his head open after being dumped into the sidelines at Wolves.

Cheetham took his place, one of 127 appearances he made for City in a 12-year career.

He went on to play for Detroit Cougars, Charlton Athletic and Chester before winding up his career with a second spell in North America, at Windsor Stars, in 1972.

He leaves behind a daughter, Nicola, and son Dean.