Cyrille Regis: Legendary West Brom and England striker dies aged 59

Tearful fans have begun leaving tributes to legendary Albion and England striker Cyrille Regis who has died suddenly.

Fans have been leaving tributes to Albion great Cyrille Regis at the Astle gates outside The Hawthorns

The 59-year-old passed away last night of a suspected heart attack, leaving supporters and the wider footballing community in shock.

Regis was one third of the famous Three Degrees and, alongside Laurie Cunningham and Brendon Batson, helped break down racial barriers for black players in British football.

Laurie Cunningham, Brendon Batson and Cyrille pose with the Three Degrees in this iconic image

West Brom's Former Players Association announced the news today, saying: "It is with 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."

Albion chairman John Williams said the club great will be 'deeply missed' by staff and fans alike.

West Brom revealed they are planning further tributes in due course.

His heartbroken wife Julia described the legend as a 'beautiful man and a wonderful husband, father, grandfather brother and uncle'.

Regis leaves two children, Robert and Michelle, and three grandchildren Jayda, Renee and Riley.

His sudden passing has left many of his teammates from Albion's late 1970s and early 1980s reeling including John Wile and Ally Robertson.

And big names from the wider footballing world have also shared their memories of Regis' career and legacy.

More background on the passing of Cyrille Regis

TRIBUTES: Footballing world in shock after passing of Baggies legend
FAN'S REACTION: Supporters share their memories of Cyrille
WEST BROM: Club plan tribute to footballing great
FAMILY: Cyrille's wife says she has lost her 'soulmate'
JOHN WILE: 'I've never heard anyone say anything against Cyrille'
ALLY ROBERTSON: “We used to laugh together all the time. I cannot believe he has gone”
MATT WILSON: "The whole of the footballing world is in mourning"
BAGGIES FANS: "He was a hero to everybody"

Former England striker turned Match of the Day host Gary Lineker tweeted: "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."

Match of the Day pundit and Premier League record goalscorer Alan Shearer also shared his tribute on Twitter, saying: "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."

Former Newcastle, Manchester United and England centre-forward Andrew Cole said Regis had been his 'hero' and a 'pioneer for the game'.

Regis was an Albion striker for seven years during the club's heyday in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

He helped the Baggies finish third and fourth in the old First Division and reach the quarter-finals of the Uefa Cup.

Plucked from non-league, he scored 112 goals in 302 appearances for the Baggies, and went on to make five England caps.

Look back on Cyrille Regis' career on and off the pitch in pictures

He also played for Coventry City, Aston Villa, and Wolverhampton Wanderers - and won the FA Cup with the Sky Blues in 1987.

Fans have also started to leave flowers, scarves and shirts outside The Hawthorns this afternoon.