JIMMY GOODFELLOW, who could count Newcastle United, Sunderland and Bishop Auckland on the list of clubs he represented, has died aged 76.

A Sunderland fan, he signed for the Magpies but released aged 17 without appearing for them.

Consett were next, before a spell with Crook Town. In 1964 he scored at Wembley in the FA Amateur Cup win.

When Lawrie McMenemy offered him the chance to sign for Bishops, during a dispute with Crook, he moved there in 1965.

"I loved Crook, great people right down to the tea lady who gave me extra sausages, but it was so frustrating that you could be dropped by a committee," he told Mike Amos in a Backtrack column in 2008.

Aged 23 he stepped into the Football League and played for Port Vale, Workington, Rotherham United and Stockport County before retiring in 1979.

Goodfellow began his coaching career with Newport County as assistant to Len Ashurst and followed him to Cardiff in 1982. He later went back to Sunderland with McMenemy.

From then he became part of Cardiff’s fabric, and his time included a testimonial against Man United in 1998.

The Bluebirds paid tribute, stating they were: "Saddened to learn of the passing of Jimmy Goodfellow at the age of 76. Jimmy's contribution to our club was significant and enduring.

"The thoughts of all of us at the club are with Jimmy and his family at this terribly difficult time. Forever a Bluebird, may he rest in peace."