Former NI & Newcastle midfielder Cassidy dies at 73

Tommy Cassidy was part of the Northern Ireland team which beat Spain at the 1982 World Cup

Former Northern Ireland and Newcastle United midfielder Tommy Cassidy has died at the age of 73.

The Belfast native won 24 international caps and was part of the Northern Ireland squad at the 1982 World Cup, featuring in the famous 1-0 win over hosts Spain in Valencia.

He was also part of the group which manager Billy Bingham led to British Home Championship success in 1980.

After beginning his playing career with Irish League club Glentoran, Cassidy played 239 times for Newcastle between 1970 and 1980, helping them reach the finals of the FA Cup in 1974 and the League Cup two years later.

He scored 28 goals for the Magpies, then spent three years at Burnley, before spending the final two seasons of his playing career with Cypriot side APOEL.

Cassidy went on to manage APOEL between 1985 and 1989, before stints in charge of Gateshead, Glentoran, Ards, Sligo Rovers, Workington, Newcastle Blue Star, Whitby Town and Blyth Spartans.

He guided Glentoran to an Irish Cup win in 1996.

Cassidy had been living with Alzheimer's in recent years.

A post on Newcastle's official X account said: "We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former midfielder Tommy Cassidy at the age of 73.

"The thoughts of everyone at Newcastle United are with his family and friends at this sad time."