This is massive news here in Stoke, I have just texted a friend who is an ex F.A. linesman, and regularly walked in Trentham Gardens with Gordon and Jimmy Greenhoff, another legend of the club.
Very sad for all, condolences to his family and friends.
He was a lovely bloke. I met him around 40 years ago and had the privilege of playing football with him in a charity football match- he played as an outfield player and with one eye he was as good as us young 'uns who fancied ourselves as footballers