LATE Blackburn Rovers great Matt Woods will be laid to rest next week.

Mr Woods, who made 307 appearances for Rovers between 1956 and 1963, scoring three goals, died aged 82 on Friday, September 26.

MORE TOP STORIES:

His funeral will take place at St Catherine’s Church, in Heald Green, Cheadle, at 12pm on Thursday, October 16.

Skelmersdale-born Mr Woods, who settled in Cheadle, made a £6,000 move to Rovers from Everton, his first professional club, in November 1956.

He went on to establish himself as a key figure in the club’s defence over the next seven years.

As a member of Rovers’ famous half-back line, which also included Mick McGrath and the late, great Ronnie Clayton, Mr Woods was an ever present in the memorable 1957/58 campaign, which ended with Johnny Carey’s side winning promotion back to Division One.

He also played for Rovers in the 1960 FA Cup final defeat to Wolves at Wembley.

Mr Woods has been described as the greatest defender never to earn international recognition with England.

“He was a very, very good player,” said his former Rovers team-mate Bryan Douglas.