David Boyle will be remembered as a shy man with a wicked sense of humour.

The former City player, who passed away this week aged 80, also had a fear of toenails – which set him up for jokes from his Valley Parade team-mates.

Daughter Ann said: “When the players were given new boots, they were so hard to break in that you would often lose one or two toe nails.

“The others knew my dad absolutely hated toe nails so they used to put them in his pockets!”

But the players were always grateful that Boyle would stand up to fearsome trainer Jock Robertson on the team’s behalf when they felt his regime was too strict.

Born in North Shields in 1929, Boyle played for eight different clubs including City from 1956 to 1961 where he made 101 appearances.

He was signed from Chesterfield as an inside forward and will be best remembered for his part in City’s memorable FA Cup run during the 1959-60 season.

The Bantams reached the fifth round before being knocked out 5-0 by Burnley at Turf Moor in front of a capacity crowd of 52,850 after the first match had ended in a 2-2 draw. The Clarets went on to win the Division One championship that season.

City played eight matches in that FA Cup run, including three replays, and Boyle played in six of them, all on the left wing.

It was not his natural position but he proved to be remarkably effective, particularly in the third round against Everton at Valley Parade.

He gave the Division One side’s Scottish international right back Alex Parker a torrid time as City ran out 3-0 winners.

Boyle moved into non-League football with Scarborough and Bacup after he was released by City in 1961.

After finishing his career, he became a bakery dispatch manager and later took up crown green bowls, playing for Tyersal and Eccleshill.

Ann said: “He was a lovely man, very down to earth, who didn’t like fuss.”

Newcastle, where Boyle began his career, are planning a tribute in the programme for next week’s home game against Swansea.

Boyle leaves two daughters, Ann and Lynn. His wife Barbara, who he met when he played for Crewe, died five years ago.

His funeral will take place at St Francis’ Church, Norman Lane, on Tuesday at 11.45am.