Former Newcastle United player Tommy Walker, who starred in the club's golden era of the 1950s, has died.

He was 81 and passed away on Monday night at a nursing home in Manchester after a short illness, Newcastle United said.

Tommy is survived by his wife Lily, son Thomas, and grandsons Richard and Andrew.

The footballer, who was born in Cramlington, Northumberland, played in both the 1951 and 1952 FA Cup Final successes at Wembley.

He was a sprightly right-winger and his penetrating sorties into opponents' penalty boxes created many a goal for the likes of Jackie Milburn and George Robledo.

His death means there are now only four surviving players left from the 1950s FA Cup winning sides - Charlie Crowe from the 1951 final, Alf McMichael from 1952 and Tommy Casey and Vic Keeble from the 1955 side.

Club chairman Freddy Shepherd said: ''It's always a very sad time when one of our legendary players dies.

''Tommy was the archetypal winger and contributed much to our successes in the early 1950s.

''Our thoughts at this time are wife his wife Lily and his other family members.''