Everyone at Everton Football Club is saddened to learn of the passing of our former coach Viv Busby.

Viv, along with Adrian Heath, was part of Howard Kendall’s management team during the Blues legend’s third spell in charge at Goodison Park in 1997/98.

The pair had previously worked together at Sheffield United and had been playing teammates at Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers.

As a player, Viv, pictured right in main image, was a striker whose career peaked at Fulham. He played in their 1975 FA Cup final team that lost 2-0 against West Ham United at Wembley.

On the way to the final, Fulham, then in the Second Division, shocked Everton in the fifth round when Viv scored both goals in a 2-1 win at Goodison.

Dave Watson was the Blues captain when Viv worked with Kendall.

“I am so sorry to hear this,” said the former defender. “Viv was a lovely man and a very good coach. I will always remember him as a full of life character with a huge passion for football. Him and Howard were a great double act! Viv was great in and around the dressing room. The 97/98 season didn’t go as well as we all hoped but I know that Viv loved his time at Everton.”

The thoughts of everyone at Everton are with Viv’s family at this very sad time.