Ralph Coates

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Former Tottenham and England midfielder Ralph Coates has died at the age of 64 following a stroke.

Coates, who was capped four times by England, scored the winning goal for Spurs in their 1973 League Cup final victory over Norwich.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp said: "He was just a great guy. He is still loved here and we have sent condolences to his family."

Coates began his career at Burnley and also played for Leyton Orient.

Clarets chief executive Paul Fletcher, a former team-mate of Coates, told the club's website: "He is still very much one of the sons of Burnley Football Club and someone who came through the revered youth system and went on to bigger and better things.

"He was revered here and it is a very sad day for everyone. He will be very sadly missed."

Coates made 261 appearances for Burnley between 1964-71 scoring 32 goals before he was signed by Tottenham's manager Bill Nicholson.

The fee was £190,000 and Coates told Nicholson when they met in Staffordshire to complete the deal "don't be stupid, no player is worth that".

He helped Spurs win the 1972 Uefa Cup in his first season at White Hart Lane and a year later endeared himself to the club's fans with the winner in the League Cup final at Wembley.

Coates left Tottenham for Leyton Orient in 1978 where he spent two years as a player coach before returning to White Hart Lane where he worked as a match-day host.

[salty]

His League Cup winning goal shown on BBC Sports personality 2010 last night in section for departed sport stars. Like movie stars sports stars also pass on. Reminds you that in time (hopefully plenty of it) we will all go to meet the grim reaper.

[imola]

rip, a sad loss,

remember him at in a great orient side , with chiedozei, and also for his quality barnet