Former Latics defender Paul Futcher has died at the age of 60. He was an ex-England Under-21 international who became the most expensive defender in English football when he moved to Manchester City for £350,000 in 1978.
He made around 100 appearances for the Latics in the 1980s before taking up management roles with Stalybridge Celtic and Ashton United. His twin brother Ron also played in the same team at Athletic although they never took to the same field. Paul’s son Ben also joined Athletic as a trainee in 1995 and remained until he left to join Stalybridge Celtic in 2001.