Former Manchester City, Cardiff and Republic of Ireland keeper Ron Healey has died after collapsing on a cycle ride.
The 65-year-old played 38 for the current champions in the 1970s before moving to South Wales.
There he played 200 for the Bluebirds and also played twice for Ireland - including at Wembley against England, report the Manchester Evening News.
Tributes have been paid to Ron, who was born and raised in Wythenshawe and son Scott, 48, said: “He was very highly regarded and highly rated at Man City but he was only 18 when he made his debut.
"He was the number two to Joe Corrigan. He was very well rated there but Joe was very well established and Ron ended up moving on.”
He kept a keen interest supported City and continued to attend games at the Etihad stadium.
After his playing career, he worked at Manchester Airport and then for British Steel before becoming a prison officer at HMP Styal, where he spent more than 12 years.
He also set up a successful football coaching business, Just 4 Keepers, with his Scott.
Ron collapsed during a cycle ride with a friend through Altrincham on Monday.
An air ambulance was scrambled and he was taken to Wythenshawe Hospital but efforts to resuscitate him failed.
City fans paid tribute to ‘an excellent keeper’ in online message boards.
He became a fixture at Cardiff City, making more than 200 appearances, before a pelvic injury cut short his playing career aged 30.
Scott added: “He was out cycling with a friend. He loved his golf and got into cycling in the summer. He was out with a friend.
"He had a little bit of heart trouble previously and had heart bypass surgery a few years ago although his health was still pretty good after that, so this has come as a bit of a shock. He was always pretty active.”
Ron set up his coaching business with son about 19 years ago and Scott still runs it.
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