JOHN Simpson, the former Huddersfield Town and York City left back, who later became City's physiotherapist, has died suddenly in Market Weighton.

Mr Simpson, who was born in Hull in 1918, spent a lifetime in football, playing for Hull City Boys and then joining Hull as an amateur, playing several games in the club's reserve team.

He joined Huddersfield as a professional in 1936 and played in the first division. After the Second World War, during which he played as a guest for a number of clubs while in the Army Physical Training Corps, Mr Simpson joined York in March 1943 and went on to play 207 league and cup games in six seasons.

When his playing days ended in 1954 he went to Hull as coach and spent nine years at Boothferry Park. He then joined Hartlepool as coach and later manager.

In 1971 Mr Simpson moved to Cambridge United as coach and physiotherapist, at one time working with manager Ron Atkinson.

He came back to York as physiotherapist in 1977 and stayed at Bootham Crescent until 1983, leaving after being awarded a well-merited testimonial match against Leeds United which attracted a good crowd.

He moved with his wife, Dorothy, to live in Market Weighton where he continued as a part-time physiotherapist.

Mr Simpson leaves his wife and daughter Joyce. The funeral service is at Haltemprice Crematorium on Wednesday at noon.