Cyrille Regis: Pioneering black footballer who played for West Brom and England dies at 59
KEY POINTS
- Alongside Laurie Cunningham and Brendon Batson, Regis formed part of a trailblazing triumvirate at West Brom.
- Former striker died of a suspected heart attack on Sunday [14 January] evening.
Trailblazing former England footballer and Midlands great Cyrille Regis has died at the age of 59, it was announced on Monday morning.
The West Bromwich Albion Former Players Association (FPA) initially confirmed that the legendary ex-Baggies and Coventry City star passed away after being taken ill on Sunday [14 January] evening.
"Cyrille and I were soulmates, he was the perfect man for me and we had a wonderful life together," widow Julia said in a statement released via West Brom.
"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."
Alongside the late Laurie Cunningham and Brendon Batson, Regis, survived by two children and three grandchildren, formed part of a pioneering triumvirate of black players under Ron Atkinson at The Hawthorns that played together at a time when racism was rife throughout English football.
The French Guiana-born, west-London raised centre-forward scored a total of 158 league goals in 614 appearances for West Brom, Coventry, Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Wycombe Wanderers and Chester City after starting out with spells at non-league Molesey and Hayes.
Regis also earned five senior international caps for England between 1982-87 before ending a 19-year professional playing career in 1996. He was part of the Coventry team under John Sillett and George Curtis that stunned Tottenham Hotspur in extra-time of the 1987 FA Cup final at the old Wembley Stadium.
Regis, who originally trained as an electrician and later worked as both a coach and a football agent, was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Wolverhampton in 2001 and an MBE for his services to the voluntary sector and football in 2008.
A long-delayed 10ft, £220,000 statue honouring Regis, Cunningham and Batson - nicknamed the 'Three Degrees' by Atkinson - is finally expected to be completed in the coming months. Cunningham died in a car crash in Spain in 1989.
Tributes to Regis have flooded in from across the footballing world, with fans, his former clubs, anti-racism campaigners and players past and present quick to pay homage to an inspirational figure...
It is great sadness that the FPA announce the death last night from a heart attack of one of the Club,s great legends Cyrille Regis. Our sincere condolences go to his family friends and colleagues. RIP Big Man pic.twitter.com/UT5jaRFF9b
— WBA Former Players (@WbaFormer) January 15, 2018
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.#RIPC
— Brighty (@Mark__Bright) January 15, 2018
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 pic.twitter.com/145idFZopb
— Andrew Cole (@vancole9) January 15, 2018
Terribly sad news this morning that footballing pioneer Cyrille Regis has died aged 59.
— PFA (@PFA) January 15, 2018
A true gentleman and legend, he will be deeply missed. Our sympathies to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/93JQ5LZlCa
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
The #Chairboys are saddened to learn of the death of Cyrille Regis; a legend in his short time at Adams Park in 1994/95. pic.twitter.com/K4U3fPjDKd
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) January 15, 2018
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. #RIPCyrille
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) January 15, 2018
What a man. What a centre-forward! One of my earliest football memories was walking into WBA for a trial as a 13 year old kid, seeing Cyrille Regis and being in awe of him. RIP big man 😢
— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) January 15, 2018
We’re deeply saddened to hear the news of Cyrille Regis’s passing at the age of 59.
— England (@England) January 15, 2018
He won five caps for the #ThreeLions, between 1982 and 1987.
Rest in peace, Cyrille. pic.twitter.com/IZwefnNJqh
We are shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of former @WBA, @Coventry_City and @England forward Cyrille Regis MBE.
— Kick It Out (@kickitout) January 15, 2018
Read our statement here: https://t.co/BGTzDUv7aI #RIPCyrille pic.twitter.com/ii1TyU8cqw
We are saddened to hear about the passing of former @England striker & FA Cup winner Cyrille Regis. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.#RIPCyrilleRegis pic.twitter.com/VIklZZy1gw
— The FA (@FA) January 15, 2018
A pioneer, the warmest and most humble of men, a Midlands football icon, and a truly wonderful footballer.
— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) January 15, 2018
Rest in Peace big man, thank you for leading the way. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/r6phAs6ZRH
It is with huge sadness that we hear of the death of our former striker, Cyrille Regis…
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) January 15, 2018
RIP Big Cyrille – a true football icon
#AVFC pic.twitter.com/PINwayek0P
All at Wolves are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Cyrille Regis. Our thoughts are with his family, his friends and his former clubs on this difficult day. pic.twitter.com/xcvAAwPDkP
— Wolves (@Wolves) January 15, 2018
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