Former Town winger Jimmy Leadbetter died this morning aged 78. Leadbetter was a member of Sir Alf Ramsey's back-to-back Division One and Division Two championship-winning side in 1960/61 and 1961/62, and also the victorious Division Three (South) team in 1956/57.

Edinburgh-born Leadbetter joined the Blues from Brighton and Hove Albion in June 1955, going on to make 375 appearances and score 49 goals, before joining Sudbury Town in 1965. After hanging up his boots, he worked locally for a number of years before returning to Scotland.

In 2002 TWTD spoke to Leadbetter's team-mate John Elsworthy who said of the winger: "He was a fighter. When he came back to look for the ball he would also help to defend. I remember at Plymouth the big right-back took a kick at Jimmy and Jimmy retaliated and the next thing we knew they were confronting one another. Another big defender came over and Jimmy was going to take them all on!

"He was a spirited boy. He had some ability, but what he lacked in that, he made up for in spirit. He was the most unlikely looking footballer in the team and yet he was probably the one we needed most."

Chairman David Sheepshanks paid tribute on the club site: "It is with immense sadness that we have learned of the sudden passing of one of our great former heroes Jimmy Leadbetter.

"Jimmy played an integral part in Sir Alf Ramsey's 1961/62 Championship-winning side and has since stayed in regular touch with the club, attending many of the annual ex-player reunions.

"On behalf of everyone at Portman Road I want to extend our deepest sympathies and best wishes to Jimmy's family and friends at this very sad time."

Photo: Action Images

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