Former Ipswich Town wing-half Dennis Thrower has died, age 80, following a lengthy illness.
Thrower grew up in Ipswich and played for Ipswich & District League side Landseer Old Boys before joining the Blues, as a Division Three South side, in August 1956.
When making his debut, aged 18 and 28 days, he became the youngest player in the club’s history.
He was largely a reserve team player for over the next nine years as Sir Alf Ramsey led the club all the way through the divisions and to a famous First Division title in 1961/62.
Overall he made 31 first team appearances, the most of which came in 1964/65, and scored four goals.
Thrower went on to play for Bury Town, Sudbury Town and Crane Sports and managed both Whitton United and Woodbridge Town while running his own plumbing business.
He was a regular at player reunion events and is survived by son Gary and daughter Andrea.
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