Frank D’Arcy dead at 77: Ex-Everton footballer dies as club pays tribute to title-winning defender

FORMER Everton footballer Frank D’Arcy has passed away aged 77.

The Premier League club paid tribute to their tough-tackling defender, who was a boyhood supporter, on social media.

Frank D’Arcy passed away yesterday aged 77 ANL/Shutterstock

The post read: “Everyone at Everton Football Club is deeply saddened at the passing of our title-winning defender Frank D’Arcy, who passed away on Saturday, aged 77.”

His cause of death is currently unknown.

Frank made 18 appearances during a five-year career with the Blues.

He most notably appearing five times in the famous Championship-winning season of 1969/70, never once finishing on the losing side.

However, it was only when Football League rules were altered recently that Frank qualified for a medal.

He was thrilled to receive it from 1986/87 title-winner and Club Ambassador Ian Snodin at home last year.

D’Arcy was also a member of the team that famously won the Club’s first FA Youth Cup in 1964/65 alongside the likes of John Hurst and Jimmy Husband.

Everton beat Arsenal in the two-legged final, 29,908 packing into Goodison Park for the second leg.

A tough-tackling left-back, Frank made his Senior Team debut at Elland Road against Leeds United the following season when Harry Catterick played a much-changed team a week prior to an FA Cup semi-final.

Frank made two further starts in the 1970/71 season.

His last appearance came as a substitute at Wolves in April 1971 before enjoying a brief spell with Tranmere Rovers, then moving into non-league football with Kirkby Town.

Frank remained a passionate Everton fan throughout his life and could often be seen in the crowd at Goodison until recent years.