CYRILLE REGIS has died at the age of 59 after a suspected heart attack.
Regis, who became an icon at West Brom and Coventry during the 1970s and ‘80s, suffered a suspected cardiac arrest.
He was part of a West Brom side that included the iconic black players Laurie Cunningham and Brendon Batson.
The trio, who became known as ‘The Three Degrees’, paved the way for more black players to break into English football at a time where racism in the game was commonplace.
A statue of ‘The Three Degrees’, called The Celebration, was unveiled in West Bromwich in 2014.
Regis said at the time: “We were part of that first generation of black players in this country and I’m sure that if you ask any second generation player they will tell you they were inspired by Laurie. That’s why the statue will be so important.”
Everyone at Coventry City are deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the death of #SkyBlues legend and FA Cup winning hero Cyrille Regis #PUSB pic.twitter.com/HX51mBdPpH
— Coventry City (@Coventry_City) January 15, 2018
Regis was born in French Guiana in February 1958 but moved to London with his family at the age of five.
He did not come through the youth ranks with a professional club and was instead spotted playing Sunday morning football by the chairman of Surrey non-league club Molesey.
West Brom signed him for £5,000 in May 1977 and he made a spectacular start, scoring twice in a League Cup tie against Rotherham in September of that year.
He was voted the PFA Young Player of the Year for 1978.
Devastated to hear the news of the passing of Cyrille Regis. Had the pleasure of playing with him and someone I always looked up to. He was a true inspiration and friend. RIP Cyrille 🙏🏾 #ripcyrilleregis pic.twitter.com/mIUHP1ZrlN
— Tony Daley MSc (@TonyDaley7) January 15, 2018
Regis played for eight seasons at West Brom, where he scored 112 goals in 297 appearances.
He moved to Coventry in 1985 and won the FA Cup three years later.
Regis earned his first of five England caps in 1982, eventually retiring in October 1996 after a stint at Chester City.
He also played for Aston Villa, Wolves and Wycombe.
He was appointed an MBE in 2008 and returned to West Brom as a coach before becoming a football agent.
Widow tribute
His widow, Julia, said today: “Cyrille and I were soulmates, he was the perfect man for me and we had a wonderful life together.
“He was a beautiful man and a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle.
“Losing him has turned my whole world upside down. It is a void that will never be filled.
“I have been moved by the many messages of support and condolences I have received and the kind things people have said about Cyrille as a person and a professional.
“He came into football the hard way and never lost his passion for the game. He was a role model for so many because he always treated everyone he met with kindness and respect.”
Bullet in the post
Regis wrote about the day he was sent a bullet in the post when reflecting on his England debut in 1982.
He wrote: “Clearly someone did not approve of my selection because they had cut out individual letters from a newspaper and stuck them on a sheet of paper to spell out a message that read, ‘If you put your foot on our Wembley turf, you’ll get one of these through your knees’.
“I looked into the envelope and there was a cotton-wool pad wrapped round something. I took it out, opened it up and there it was: a bullet staring up at me.
“I have still got it to this day. The letter soon got binned, but I kept the bullet as a reminder of the force of anger and evil some people had inside them back then.
“For the rest of my playing days, it was also a motivation, a reminder that these people were not going to stop me.”
Cyrille Regis earned five England caps
Cyrille Regis tribues
Tributes have flooded in, with former footballer Mark Bright saying on Twitter: “Heavy heart this morning, just heard that Cyrille Regis has passed away age 59. He was more than just a footballer, he blazed a trail for every black player who followed him, an inspiration to myself and many players of my era. A humble man and a great man.”
Ex-Manchester United striker Andrew Cole said: “Devastated this morning my hero my pioneer the man behind the reason I wanted to play football has passed away my heart goes out to all his family RIP Cyrille Regis”
Cyrille Regis enjoyed a brief stint at Wolves in the mid-1990s
Former Aston Villa midfielder Ian Taylor wrote: “Another icon has left us. Can’t believe it. Absolutely devastated as he was an unbelievable role model and became a good friend. Deepest condolences to all family and friends of a proper legend Cyrille Regis. You’ll be missed my friend.”
https://twitter.com/vancole9/status/952819322522660864
Former Aston Villa midfielder Ian Taylor wrote: “Another icon has left us. Can’t believe it. Absolutely devastated as he was an unbelievable role model and became a good friend. Deepest condolences to all family and friends of a proper legend Cyrille Regis. You’ll be missed my friend.”
And Gary Lineker posted: “Saddened to hear that Cyrille Regis has passed away. A tremendous striker and fine man whose legacy goes beyond the game, helping to pave a way for black footballers in this country.”
Shaun Goater paid tribute, writing: “I just heard that Cyrille Regis has passed away age 59. He was one who blazed a trail for every black player who followed him, an inspiration to myself and I’m sure to many many others. What a man, he was also so humble. My condolence goes to the Regis family.”
Source:www.express.co.uk