One of Mansfield Town Football Club’s greatest players, Kevin Bird, has died aged 70,

Kevin Bird (pictured in his playing days and at a charity match at One Call Stadium in 2017) signed for the Stags in 1972 from Doncaster Rovers and went on to make 463 appearances, scoring 63 goals in 11 seasons.

He is fifth on the club’s list of Football League appearances and 12th on the goalscorers’ chart.

Kevin was a mainstay of the Stags’ team that won both the Fourth Division and Third Division championships in the mid-1970s.

His services to the club were honoured in 2009, when a hospitality lounge at One Call Stadium was renamed The Kevin Bird Suite.

Kevin, who still lived in Mansfield, was diagnosed with dementia 10 years ago.

Stags owners John and Carolyn Radford said: “To have played 11 full seasons for one club is practically unheard of in the modern era and underlines the loyalty and dedication he had for Mansfield Town.

“Even after retiring, Kevin would regularly attend home matches and we always looked forward to seeing him and his wife, Sue, at One Call Stadium. They were unwavering in their support of the club.

“A great clubman, outstanding servant, and true gentleman, Kevin will never be forgotten at Mansfield Town.”

PHOTOS: Courtesy Mansfield Town FC