The death has occurred after a long illness of ex-Polytechnic player Bill Searby, who led the club to their first ASA national title in 1956.
Former Great Britain goalkeeper Neil May writes: "Bill joined Poly from the Neptune club in 1952 in an era ruled by huge, almost unstoppable pit men like Terry Miller, Les Baldwin, Phil Jones and our own Pete Messider.
"Bill became one of the game's finest defenders. I first saw him in action in 1956 playing for Southern Counties in a practice game against GB's Melbourne Olympics team. The pit man was mighty Terry Miller, a player so good he was flown to Italy most weeks to represent a leading club side there. Bill marked him out of the game and the South went on to win."
Former Great Britain goalkeeper Neil May writes: "Bill joined Poly from the Neptune club in 1952 in an era ruled by huge, almost unstoppable pit men like Terry Miller, Les Baldwin, Phil Jones and our own Pete Messider.
"Bill became one of the game's finest defenders. I first saw him in action in 1956 playing for Southern Counties in a practice game against GB's Melbourne Olympics team. The pit man was mighty Terry Miller, a player so good he was flown to Italy most weeks to represent a leading club side there. Bill marked him out of the game and the South went on to win."
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