Darlington football legend Ron Greener was recovering in hospital last night after suffering a heart attack at his home.

The 68-year-old is the most capped Quakers player, appearing for the club more than 500 times during his 13-year career at Feethams.

He was a member of the team that secured Darlington's promotion to the Third Division during the 1965-66 season. He also captained the side on many occasions, between 1955 and 1968.

Messages of support have come from fans and former players at the club, who have described him as one of the most respected and loved footballers to have played for Darlington.

Mr Greener was part of the famous side which defeated First Division giants Chelsea in the fourth round of the FA Cup, in 1958, playing alongside fellow Darlington legends John Peverall and Brian Henderson, who died last year.

He was also involved in the 1960-61 Football League Cup tie against Bolton Wanderers, which was seen by a record 21,023 fans at Feethams.

He played at centre half for Newcastle United before giving up his job as a blacksmith at Easington Colliery and moving to Feethams, where he turned professional.

Darlington club historian Frank Tweddle said life-long fans described him as a living legend.

He said: "Ronnie Greener is a real legend in the history of Darlington Football Club, he was a great player and a stalwart centre-half. He was Mr Darlington, because he was the most capped player for the Quakers and such a reliable footballer. I'm sure fans and former players will be wishing him a speedy recovery."

John Peverell, who played alongside Mr Greener and is the second most-capped Quakers player, said: "He was a tremendous player, a real stalwart and a Darlington legend. I was lucky enough to play alongside him and he helped me when I was a young upstart."

Mr Greener was in Darlington Memorial Hospital last night, where his wife Margaret said he was recovery after the heart attack at his Blackwell home on April 13.