Tommy Cassidy dead at 73: Newcastle legend tragically dies after long battle with Alzheimer’s

FORMER Newcastle star Tommy Cassidy has died aged 73 following a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

The Magpies have paid tribute to their former midfielder, who played 239 times for them between 1970 and 1980.

AlamyTommy Cassidy played more than 200 times for Newcastle[/caption]

AlamyCassidy helped the Toon reach two cup finals during the 1970s[/caption]

In an official statement, the Toon reeled off several of Cassidy’s considerable achievements from his days wearing black and white.

They then added: “The thoughts of everyone at Newcastle United are with Tommy’s family and friends.”

Having been born in Belfast, Cassidy began his playing career with Northern Irish side Glentoran.

He moved to Tyneside in October 1970, quickly going on to become a popular figure at St James’ Park.

Cassidy helped Newcastle reach the 1974 FA Cup final, as well as the 1976 League Cup showpiece.

He made 239 Toon appearances in total, scoring 28 goals, before signing for Burnley in 1980.

Following three years at Turf Moor he moved to APOEL, spending the final two seasons of his playing career in Cyprus before hanging up his boots.

In addition to his successful playing career, Cassidy also earned 24 caps for his country.

The pinnacle of his international career came in 1982, when he represented Northern Ireland at the World Cup in Spain.

After finishing his playing career, Cassidy went into management.

He bossed APOEL for four years between 1985 and 1989, before stints with Gateshead and former club Glentoran.

Cassidy continued to move between Northern Ireland and the North East, extending his managerial career with Ards, Sligo Rovers, Workington, Newcastle Blue Star and Whitby Town.

His final spell came with Blyth Spartans during the 2011-12 season.

As he battled Alzheimer’s in his latter years, Cassidy attended Newcastle United’s Memory Cafe – which the Toon describe as their “drop-in session at St. James’ Park for those living with life-changing memory loss illnesses”.

Paying tribute to their 1982 World Cup star, Northern Ireland wrote on social media: “We are saddened today to learn of the passing of Tommy Cassidy, one of our heroes from España 82.

“Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this time.”

Plenty of Newcastle fans also had kind words for their former star.

Among them, one wrote on social media: “Really sad news with the passing of Tommy Cassidy a real lovely man a fabulous footballer and vastly underrated, thanks for the memories Tommy.”

While a second posted: “RIP Tommy Cassidy. A Newcastle United man through & through.”

A third commented: “Really sad news this morning about the passing of Tommy Cassidy. He was a truly great man, full of fun and massively helpful to me down the years.”

While the Newcastle United Supporters Trust wrote: “RIP Tommy Cassidy.”

AlamyCassidy became a Newcastle hero during a decade at St James’ Park[/caption]

GettyNewcastle have paid tribute to the Northern Irishman[/caption]