Football fans thrown into mourning as former Premier League manager confirmed dead

Former Wolverhampton Wanderers coach Sammy Chapman has been confirmed dead at the age of 81.

The former defender managed the Wanderers for just one season - 1985-86, and was regarded as the fans favourite during his short spell at the club.

SunSport reports that the family of the late coach made the news available in the early hours of Friday, saying he was in "good spirits " in his final moments.

Both his sons, Campbell and Cavan, who played for the Molineux Stadium outfit shared the news as friends and well-wishers showered tributes on the legend.

On Facebook, Cavan wrote: "Apologies but no other way to contact everyone. Unfortunately, my dad passed away last night/yesterday at home .

"He was in good spirits the last time I spoke to him. "We will be organising the funeral/memorial at Trysull in the next month for all that can make it. "Thanks for your condolences in advance ."

Meanwhile, Dean Edwards, one of the players who featured for Wolves under Chapman led the tributes.

He wrote: " Gutted is not the word. My thoughts go out to his family and my good friends Campbell and Cavan. RIP Sam .

"He was not only a great manager but a larger than life character who always had a smile on his face. He was lovely to be around and was unbelievably funny. He will be missed by many ."

Jon Purdie, another ex-star, added: "Sammy was a charismatic character with a great sense of humour .

" He gave me my debut at the age of 18 and although we didn't have a great team, he had such a great personality that we all wanted to play for him.

" He worked tirelessly for the club under very difficult circumstances under the Bhatti brothers.

"I think he deserved more credit for keeping the club alive during that dark period of the club's history .

" I heard that he wasn't very well some time ago and went to visit him at home out of my respect for him.

"I was dreading seeing him poorly, but true to form he was full of life and we spoke at length about football and some of the stories from our time together .

" I only have fond memories of him and we have lost a true football man and a great character. My thoughts are with all his family."

Chapman spent his youth career as a player at Manchester United, before playing for the Mansfield and Portsmouth, as well as Glentoran and Glenavon.

The one-cap Northern Ireland B international only ever managed Wolves.