Former England goalkeeper Tony Waiters dies aged 83

Soccer – League Division One – Manchester City v Burnley – Maine Road
(Image credit: PA)

Former Blackpool and Burnley goalkeeper Tony Waiters has died aged 83.

Waiters made over 250 appearances for Blackpool, during which time he won five England caps in 1964 as Alf Ramsey sought back up for Gordon Banks ahead of the World Cup two years later.

He finished his playing career at Burnley in the early 1970s before heading into management at Plymouth, where between 1972 and 1977 he won promotion from the Third Division and led Argyle to the League Cup semi-finals.

Waiters later managed the Vancouver Whitecaps before having two spells as the national coach of Canada. He was in charge when Canada qualified for the 1986 World Cup, the country’s only appearance in the finals.

A tribute on the England Twitter page read: “We’re sad to learn that Tony Waiters, who won five caps for the #ThreeLions in 1964, has died at the age of 83.

“Our thoughts and sympathies are with Tony’s family, friends and former clubs.”