Graham Paddon - a member of the 1975 FA Cup-winning side - has died aged 57 at his home in Norfolk.
The Manchester-born midfielder spent three years at West Ham United between 1973 and 1976, making 150 league and cup appearances and scoring 15 goals. West Ham United manager Alan Curbishley, a former team-mate, paid tribute to his friend. "Graham was one of the nicest people you could meet," he said. "At the time I was breaking into the first team, he was an established player having signed from Norwich. He was a terrific player and every West Ham fan will remember his cultured left foot. He will be sorely missed."
Paddon was best known for his midfield partnership with Billy Bonds and Trevor Brooking, playing a key role in the 2-0 defeat of Fulham in the 1975 triumph at Wembley before earning a runners-up medal in the European Cup Winners' Cup the following year. En route to the 4-2 final defeat by RSC Anderlecht in Brussels, Paddon scored a stunning 30-yard goal in the 2-1 semi-final first leg loss at Eintracht Frankfurt. He then helped the club win 3-1 in the home return for a 4-3 aggregate success.
West Ham United assistant manager Mervyn Day played with Paddon in both the 1975 and 1976 finals. He said: "As a member of the same side as Graham, I'll remember his dynamism, the balance he brought to the side but, above all else, the ferocity of his left foot in shooting practice. My heartfelt thoughts go out to his family at this sad time."
Paddon leaves behind his wife Sandra and three children - Guy, Jenny and Heather. Either side of his time at the Boleyn Ground, Paddon had two spells with Norwich City - making 340 appearances- while he also played for Coventry City, Millwall and the US side Tampa Bay Rowdies. As a coach, he worked for Stoke and Portsmouth and he also acted as a scout for Liverpool, Derby County and Leicester City.