Legend remembered before kick off

The Glassboys honoured the trailblazer in the late 70s and 1980s before taking on one of his former clubs after the passing of the West Brom icon and England forward on Monday at the age of 59 from a suspected heart attack.

Plucked from Isthmian League Hayes in 1977 by the Baggies for £5,000, the father-of-two and grandfather was a big friend of Stourbridge manager Gary Hackett and the EVO-STIK League Premier Division club's saddened officials called the news a "massive shock to West Midlands football" before kick-off.

After a 19-year playing career the striker also enjoyed close links with Hednesford Town and only last year led the singing at the Christmas carol concert organised by the club's supporters trust.

Using at @Hednesford_Town to send their condolences, the Pitmen tweeted: "Terrible news about Cyrille Regis, who was a special guest at the HTFCSA’s Christmas Carol Concert held at Keys Park in December 2016. All at the club send condolences to Cyrille’s family at this sad time."

Officials at another of the EVO-STIK League's West Midlands-based clubs, Romulus, used @Romulus_fc to tweet: "Everyone at The Roms is extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Cyrille Regis. He was a fantastic player, and a Midlands football legend. And a good bloke, too. Sincere condolences to his family. Another taken far too early! #WBA #CCFC #AV."
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Other tributes included: "Shocked at the news of the passing of Cyrille Regis, rest in peace big man", from @halesowentownfc and from further north, @Matlock_TownFC's: "A titan of a man, a pioneer and a trail blazer in the beautiful game. Thank you and RIP #CyrilleRegis our thoughts are with your family and friends at this time."

A committed Christian who was appointed an MBE in 2008 and a campaigner for groups like Kick It Out for many years, Regis overcame the racist chanting heard at grounds in the 1970s and 80s to go from Non-League to playing for his country, famously teaming up with Laurie Cunningham and Brendon Batson at The Hawthorns as the trio were labelled The Three Degrees.

After joining Coventry City for £250,000 in 1984 and beating Tottenham with the Sky Blues three years later in 1987 to lift the FA Cup, Regis went on to play for Aston Villa, Wolves and Wycombe Wanderers before hanging up his boots at Chester City in 1996 and becoming a football agent.

His widow, Julia, described him on Monday as "a beautiful man and a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle". He is survived by two children Robert and Michelle and three grandchildren, Jayda, Renée and Riley.

Images courtesy of @Hednesford_Town/Twitter

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