FORMER Stourbridge footballer Brian Farmer has died at the age of 80 following a sudden heart attack.

Born and bred in Amblecote - he went onto find fame with Birmingham City which he joined as a 17-year-old - replacing legendary full back Jeff Hall in the late 1950s.

He featured for the Blues in their Inter-Cities Fairs Cup campaign where he played against European giants Barcelona and Inter Milan.

After making over 100 appearences for Blues, Brian went in 1962 to join Bournemouth - which he made his home following his playing career.

He later became a football scout and coached at Non League level, combining these roles while director of an insurance company.

Brian, who attended Stourbridge Grammar School, was also an accomplished cricketer and played for Stourbridge as a top order batsman.

Long-time friend Alan Oakley said: "He used to get us tickets for Birmingtham City's games. He also got me all the autographs of the Manchester United side just seven weeks before the Munich air crash tragedy.

"The family came from Dennis Hall Road, where he father, Fred, was foreman at the Dennis Glassworks.

"The family was also heavily involved with Amblecote Methodists in Brettell Lane, where Brian Helped run the youth club."

He leaves a wife, Barbara, who is also from Amblecote, son Tim and daughter Sarah.

His funeral is set to take place tomorrow (Thursday) at St Stephen's Church in Bournemouth.