FORMER York City goalkeeper Bob Ferguson has died aged 88.

Bob, who was believed to be the Minstermen's oldest surviving player, suffered a heart attack while attending his grandson's wedding in Marlow, Buckinghamshire on Saturday.

Having arrived at Bootham Crescent in 1939 from Middlesbrough, where he made his debut at the age of 17 against Manchester City with England star Frank Swift in the opposition goal, Bob had to wait seven years to make his recognised Football League debut for York after the outbreak of World War Two.

He did represent the club during the War but often played second fiddle to star guest Sam Bartram.

Bob, who combined his part-time playing duties with a career as a tool-room foreman at Vickers, went on to make 27 appearances for City before leaving for Peterborough in 1947.

He was regarded as an athletic 'keeper and made two penalty saves in one match at Rochdale in September 1946 to earn his side a 1-0 win.

Bob later joined Goole but finished playing after he broke a collarbone in a collision with Frickley's former City forward Ron Barritt.

He went on to become a professional cricketer in the Bradford League between 1946 and 1968 having represented County Durham twice before the War.

A fine wicket-keeper, batsman and all-round sportsman, Bob also played for Woodhouse Grange and Dringhouses, turned out for York in the Yorkshire Table-Tennis League and was a highly-proficient bowls player.

He has been survived by wife Vera, son Barrie, two grandsons and two great-grandchildren.

Bob's funeral will be on Tuesday, June 27 at York Crematorium, starting at 11am.