Former Blackburn manager Harford dies

Former Blackburn Rovers FC manager Ray Harford has died at the age of 58 after a long illness.

Title triumph
The high point of a successful coaching and managerial career came in 1994/95 when Harford was Blackburn assistant manager as Kenny Dalglish's side clinched the Premiership title. He succeeded Dalglish as manager the following season, and led the club through their subsequent UEFA Champions League campaign.

Cup success
The move from assistant to manager was a familiar one for Harford, who made a similar step up at Fulham FC and Luton Town FC, whom he led to the English League Cup in 1988.

Much-travelled career
After leaving Blackburn, Harford also had spells as manager at West Bromwich Albion FC, Queen’s Park Rangers and Millwall FC, where Harford was still working as coach at the time of his death.
 
'Great loss'
A statement on the Millwall website said: "It is with deep sadness that Millwall Football Club announce the death of coach Ray Harford, who passed away in the early hours of Saturday morning. Ray had been fighting a lengthy battle against cancer and his passing will be a great loss to football." 
 
'A fine coach and a lovely man'
Millwall chairman Theo Paphitis said: "We are all devastated by this news, even though we knew Ray was very ill. [Millwall manager] Mark McGhee and I visited him on Tuesday, and I'm grateful we had the opportunity to assure him just how much we valued, loved and appreciated him at Millwall. He was a fine coach and a lovely man. We will miss him greatly."