FORMER Leeds United and Bradford Park Avenue left back Malcolm Lawton has died aged 81.

Leeds-born Lawton joined the Elland Road club as a junior before signing professional forms in 1952.

He failed to break into the senior team and was brought to Avenue in May 1957 on a free transfer by manager Bill Corkhill.

Lawton was part of the promotion-winning team of 1960-61, turning out 37 times as Avenue climbed into Division Three.

The last of his 113 league appearances was at Crystal Palace in March 1963 as the club fought in vain to avoid a return to the Fourth Division.

His name was on the retained list yet he ended his playing career six months later, aged 27, on specialist's advice as the sequel to a complicated ankle injury which involved two operations.

Then-Avenue manager Jimmy Scoular said: "I feel deeply sorry about this. Mal has been a grand clubman and he gave 100 per cent every time he played."