Former Leeds player and England international Paul Madeley dies aged 73

Former Leeds United player and England international Paul Madeley died on Monday at the age of 73.

He is understood to have been battling illness for an extended period. Madeley was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease over a 15 years ago.

The Beeston-born player was a key member of the Leeds team that won the First Division under manager Don Revie in 1969 and 1974, and the FA Cup in 1972. He was also capped 24 times by England during a six-year international career.

Leeds confirmed the news on Monday evening: 'Everyone at Leeds is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Leeds legend Paul Madeley. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.'

The Elland Road side will pay tribute by wearing black armbands on Tuesday evening when they face Oxford United in a pre-season match. The first game of the Championship season, against Stoke on August 5, will include a celebration of Madeley's life.

A statement from the Madeley family read: 'Paul Madeley passed away peacefully today surrounded by his family in Leeds.

'Paul was a much-loved husband, father and brother and the family are extremely proud of his achievements in life and on the field for Leeds United and England.

'He was born in Beeston, a stone's throw from Elland Road, and only ever played and supported Leeds United.

'The late Don Revie christened him his 'Roll Royce' and to us he was just that - a class act as a husband and a father who always had time for everyone he met.

'Paul's wife Ann and sons Jason and Nick would like to thank everyone for their support and well wishes.'

Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani tweeted: 'Incredibly sad to hear about the passing of a Leeds legend. RIP Rolls Royce - my condolences to Ann, Jason, Nick and the rest of his family'.

Madeley played in every single position on the pitch – except goalkeeper – during his time at Leeds, seeing him wear every number on the back of his shirt from 2 to 12. That 17-year spell spanned their rise from a second-tier side to one of the top teams in Europe.

Known as 'Rolls-Royce', he was with Leeds between 1963 and 1980, playing 536 times, started in the European Cup final against Bayern Munich in 1975 under one of Revie's successors, Jimmy Armfield. They lost that game, but Madeley also won the League Cup in 1968 and picked up the Fairs Cup twice with Leeds.

The late Armfield once said about the one-club man: 'He once actually signed a new contract on what was virtually a blank piece of paper.

'I called him in to discuss terms and opened discussions by saying, "Okay Paul, we'll give you so much".

'He replied that he had no intention of leaving Leeds so he might as well sign the contract and let me fill in the details.

'I said "What do you want, then, two years or three years?". He answered "Either way, I'll leave it to you. I just want to play for Leeds", and that was that.'

In later life, Madeley opened a paint shop and invested in a DIY business with his brothers, which they sold for £27million in 1987.