POOLE-born Crystal Palace footballer Brian Wood died in Suffolk after a long illness on July 5, aged 73.

Born in Hamworthy in 1940, Mr Wood attended Poole Grammar School before embarking on his career at West Bromwich Albion at the age of 17.

During the early 1960s he moved to Palace, where he played at centre half for five years before moving on to Leyton Orient, Colchester United, and eventually Workington, where he played for six years.

He said the highlight of his career was taking on Real Madrid in 1962, where he marked Di Stefano and Puskas, although his time at Palace was also marred by two broken legs.

He loved his time with Workington, playing 202 league games and serving briefly as the club’s caretaker manager in 1974.

Following his playing career he worked as a scout for Preston North End, while managing the Willis Faber and Dumas sports club in Ipswich.

He leaves his wife Carole and daughters Sara and Carolyn, sons in law Brian and Adrian and grandchildren Oliver and Megan.