Ipswich Town manager has paid tribute to former Blues striker Paul Mariner, describing him as ‘a superstar of a footballer and a superstar of a man’.
Mariner died on Friday at the age of 68, following a short battle with brain cancer.
The former striker was a key member of Sir Bobby Robson’s Ipswich side which won the FA Cup in 1978 and the UEFA Cup in 1981, scoring 135 goals in 339 games for the club.
He also won 35 England caps, representing his country at the 1980 European Championship and at the World Cup at the 1982 World Cup in Spain.
“I’m from an era where Paul was a superstar of a footballer and a superstar of a man – an Ipswich and England legend,” Town boss Cook said.
“It’s a really sad day but hopefully tomorrow (when England face Italy in the final of Euro 2020) there will be a lot of smiles on English faces and Paul can look down with a little smile himself.
“We never crossed paths but everyone here, all the ex-players, speak so well about Paul.
“It’s a sad day felt by everyone at the club.”
The Blues wore black armbands during Saturday’s pre-season victory at Dartford, with a minute’s applause held prior to kick-off in tribute to Mariner.
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