Football legend Ken Houghton dies aged 85

Ken Houghton played for clubs including Hull City, Sheffield United, Rotherham United and Scunthorpe United

Former footballer and manager Ken Houghton has died at the age of 85.

Houghton had a successful career in the 1960s and 70s, playing for clubs including Hull City, Rotherham United, Sheffield United and Scunthorpe United.

Hull City players wore black armbands for their away fixture against Watford on Saturday.

Rotherham-born Houghton's former Tigers team-mate Ken Wagstaff said: "He was a nice man, he was a good footballer and we got on very well."

Announcing his death, Hull City said said the striker was "an integral part of the 1965/66 Division Three title-winning side", scoring 91 goals in 304 outings during a nine-year spell with the club.

In a statement, Hull City added: "Our thoughts are with Ken's family and close friends at this difficult time."

Houghton began his football career at Sheffield United before joining his home town club Rotherham United in 1960.

Scoring 68 goals in 176 appearances for the Millers, he quickly attracted the attention of other clubs, with Hull City securing the forward's services in January 1965 for a £40,000 fee, with fellow Rotherham team-mate Ian Butler also joining as part of the deal.

Along with Chris Chilton, Ray Henderson and Wagstaff, the pair made up what became known as the "Front Five".

Paying tribute to his former team-mate, Wagstaff said: "He was a nice man, he was a good footballer and we got on very well."

Houghton continued his playing career at Scunthorpe United, Scarborough and Bridlington Town, before returning to Hull City as a youth development officer in 1976.

Two years later, he accepted the caretaker manager's role at Boothferry Park, the club's then ground, and later took on the role full-time.

He managed the Tigers 92 times, winning 27 games, before ending his 15-year on-off relationship with the club in 1979.

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