Paul Lambert has been appointed the new manager of Stoke City.

West Bromwich Albion

West Brom have released the following statement on Cyrille Regis: West Bromwich Albion are today deeply saddened and shocked to confirm that one of our greatest players, Cyrille Regis, has passed away at the age of 59.

Cyrille, the iconic figurehead of the Club’s legendary ‘Three Degrees’ team of the late 1970s, was taken ill late last night.

Cyrille, who was awarded an MBE in 2008 for services to charity and football, scored 112 goals in 302 appearances and lit up The Hawthorns with his thrilling brand of forward play.

He also became one of the great symbols of the fight against racism in Britain as a pioneer for black footballers across this nation and beyond.

Cyrille is survived by two children Robert and Michelle and three grandchildren Jayda, Renee and Riley....

We've been getting plenty of reaction to the sad passing of Cyrille Regis this morning - thanks for that and keep it coming.

We're also open for any other football you want to talk about - whether it's Ryan Giggs as the new Wales manager, Liverpool beating Manchester City, Arsenal's problems or Paul Lambert being linked with the Stoke City job.

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Interesting news now from BBC Radio Stoke's John Acres.

What do you think Stoke fans - would he be a good fit for the club?

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We've been reflecting on the passing of Cyrille Regis all morning.

Earlier (08:51) I posted his goal of the season from 1981-82.

Here's some more footage of him in action.....

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Former Manchester United and England centre-half Rio Ferdinand says Cyrille Regis will always be remembered.

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Just a gentle reminder that we need you to put your name on texts and tweets please....

Anti-discrimination body Kick It Out have released the following statement on Cyrille Regis following his death:

"Kick It Out is shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of former West Bromwich Albion forward Cyrille Regis at the age of 59.

"Cyrille was a pioneer of English football, becoming one of the first iconic Black players of the professional game, alongside former Albion team-mates Laurie Cunningham and Brendon Batson.

"Following his career, Cyrille was a great supporter of the organisation's work helping to tackle racism in the sport, kindly donating his time and efforts to Kick It Out on numerous occasions.”

Image source, Getty Images

Alan Fraser: 1st game I ever went to was WBA v Cov in the FA Cup, and the 1st goal I ever saw was Big Cyrille’s opener in that game. Few footballers are important, but I could see from my schoolmate’s reaction how important Cyrille was to young black kids like him #childhoodhero

In 2004 the BBC's Inside Out made a documentary about West Bromwich Albion’s 'Three Degrees' - Cyrille Regis, Laurie Cunningham and Brendan Batson.

During the 1978/79 football season, West Brom were the first club to field three black players.

"They could have been yellow, purple, and have two heads.

"So long as they could play and they were good lads - and they were," the clubs then manager Ron Atkinson told the programme.

Ron nicknamed the boys the Three Degrees following an appearance by the real Motown legends at the club's ground.

You can read more here.

Image source, Rex Features

The BBC's former Midlands Football reporter Pat Murphy has paid tribute to Regis.

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Regis was a pioneer for black footballers in the game when he played alongside Laurie Cunningham and Brendon Batson at The Hawthorns.

Regis was appointed an MBE in 2008 and returned to West Brom as a coach before becoming a football agent.

The trio of Regis, Cunningham and Batson, nicknamed the Three Degrees by their then-manager Ron Atkinson, were subject to racist abuse from fans during the late 1970s.

They are due to be honoured with a 10ft statue, called The Celebration, in West Bromwich. It is set to be unveiled this season, following a delay.

At a preview of the structure in 2013, Regis said: "We were part of that first generation of black players in this country and I'm sure that if you ask any second generation player they will tell you they were inspired by Laurie. That's why the statue will be so important."

David W Poole: Cyrille Regis winning the FA Cup with Coventry towards the end of his career was one of the many highlights of one of the great Wembley finals

BBC Radio 5 live

BBC presenter Adrian Chiles is a huge West Brom fan and he's been on BBC Radio 5 live to pay tribute to Cyrille Regis this morning.

"He was my absolute hero. When he made his debut, he was electrifying. It was a difficult time in Birmingham in terms of race relations and then suddenly these men, especially Cyrille, were our heroes. What they went through was horrific and, psychologically, they were made of girders to deal with the horrors that were put in front of them.

"The one thing everyone also said about him was that he got younger every time you saw him, he was in spectacular physical shape all the time so it's the last thing you'd expect," said Chiles.

"I was supposed to meet him and Brendon tomorrow to organise a big celebration to mark the 40th anniversary of when Laurie Cunningham made his debut and to celebrate what the Three Degrees achieved for the club and the game. I'm just devastated."