Former Bristol Rovers manager Don Megson dies

Don also made more than 30 appearances for the club as a player in the 1970s

Don Megson (centre) led Sheffield Wednesday in the 1966 FA Cup Final, which they lost to Everton
Author: James DiamondPublished 16th Mar 2023

Former footballer and Bristol Rovers manager Don Megson has died at the age of 86.

The Gas shared the news on Twitter today (March 16), saying the club is saddened to hear of his passing and their thoughts are with his friends and family.

Before becoming a manager Megson also played for Rovers, signing for them in 1970 and going on to make more than 30 appearances, but he was best known as a player for Sheffield Wednesday where he played nearly 450 times.

He captained the Owls in the 1966 FA Cup final in which they went 2-0 up against Everton, only to eventually lose 3-2.

Megson, whose sons Gary and Neil both played and managed professionally, made his debut for Wednesday in 1959 and helped the side finish runners-up to Bill Nicholson's Tottenham side in Division One in 1961.

That meant the club qualified for Europe in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup and they beat Barcelona 3-2 in the first leg of the quarter-finals at Hillsborough, only to lose the away leg 2-0.

He also managed Portland Timbers in the United States before returning to England for a short spell at Bournemouth.

"Our thoughts to go out to Don's family and friends at this difficult time," Sheffield Wednesday said in a statement.

"RIP a true Sheffield Wednesday legend."

First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app.