Gordon Lee, former Everton manager and Aston Villa defender, dies aged 87

The former Everton manager Gordon Lee has died at the age of 87. Lee held the job from 1977 to 1981, leading the team to a League Cup final, two FA Cup semi-finals and two top-four finishes in the First Division.

Born in Cannock in Staffordshire, Lee began his playing career at Hednesford Town before joining Aston Villa in 1955. A right-back, he spent the next 11 years there, playing in their 1961 League Cup final win before ending his career with Shrewsbury.

He cut his managerial teeth at Port Vale, succeeding Stanley Matthews and guiding Vale into the Third Division. He then earned promotion to the Second Division with Blackburn, which prompted Newcastle to secure his services in 1975. Two years later he made the move to Everton and signed players including George Wood, Graeme Sharp and Alan Irvine. He was sacked after a poor finish to the 1980-81 season and had further spells in management with Preston and KR Reykjavik.

Lee also stepped in as caretaker at Leicester after David Pleat was dismissed in 1991 and helped save them from relegation.

Sharp told Everton’s website: “Gordon was a massive part of my development and I always enjoyed meeting up with him later in life. I am deeply saddened by his loss and extend my sympathy to his family.”

The former Everton captain Kevin Ratcliffe, who made his debut under Lee, said: “Gordon loved to give young players an opportunity and I will forever be grateful that he gave me mine at Everton. He was ahead of his time with some of his coaching methods and with a bit more luck would have brought honours to the club.”