Former Everton defender Paul Holmes dies aged 56

Former Everton and West Brom defender Paul Holmes has died of cancer at the age of 56.

Holmes played for Doncaster, Torquay and Birmingham before Howard Kendall took him to Everton in 1993.

He played 28 games for the Toffees before joining West Brom in 1996, where he would make more than 100 appearances in a three-year spell.

Holmes returned to Torquay to finish his career and retired from playing in 2003.

Everton said Holmes had died "after a brave battle with cancer", with former team-mate Ian Snodin telling the club website: "He was a fine player and a lovely guy to share a dressing room with."