A RETIRED professional footballer from Wrexham has died suddenly, one of his former clubs has announced.

Everton Football Club released a statement on Wednesday confirming the sudden death on Sunday of Graham Williams, who joined the Toffees from Bradford City in 1956.

Mr Williams was 81.

The statement after the November 25 death said: "He made his debut in a 2-1 Goodison Park defeat to Sunderland in March of that year, playing alongside the likes of TE Jones, Brian Harris and Jimmy Harris.

"In total Graham played 33 games for the Blues, scoring six goals.

"After three years at Everton he moved to Swansea City and later played for Wrexham, Tranmere Rovers and Port Vale.

"Graham also played five times for the Welsh national team.

"The thoughts of everyone at the club are with his wife Maureen and family at this sad time."

Mr Williams, who scored a total of 47 goals in 249 league games in a career that spanned some 14 years, worked as a carpenter post-retirement and was also a very keen and accomplished golfer.

Fellow ex-Wrexham player Tecwyn Jones said: "I didn't know him too well from the team but I knew him from the Wrexham schoolboys team.

"He was always ready for a laugh.

"He was a very jovial fellow."