Former Preston North End goalkeeper Fred Else has died, aged 82.
He made more than 600 professional appearances in his career playing for three English clubs, Preston, Blackburn Rovers and Barrow.
Else, right, was born in Golborne near Wigan on March 31 1933. While on national service in the north-east of England, he played for amateur club Axwell Park Colliery Welfare in the Derwent Valley League.
He attracted the attention of football league teams and signed as a junior for Preston North End in 1951, and as a professional in 1953.
Else made his debut for Preston against Manchester City in 1954 but was restricted to 14 appearances over his first three seasons.
He eventually became first choice, displacing George Thompson, and played 238 times for North End.
During this time Preston’s most successful season came in 1957-58, when the club finished as runners-up in the English Division One. The 1960-61 season ended in relegation for Preston and Else was sold to neighbours Blackburn for £20,000.
He became a first choice for Rovers straight away and played 221 times for the club.
A collarbone injury in 1964-65 resulted in a period out of the game, though Else returned to regain the goalkeeper’s jersey at Blackburn.
Nonetheless the team were relegated the following season and Else released.
During the summer of 1966 he signed with Barrow of the Fourth Division and became part of their most successful team, with the side winning promotion to the Third Division in his first season.
He was Barrow’s first choice keeper for the entire period they were in the division, and played 148 league matches.
He retired after Barrow’s relegation in 1970.
Else met Marjorie in 1949 in Douglas on the Isle of Man and the couple married in October 1955.