LEGENDARY York City goalkeeper Tommy Forgan has died at the age of 90.

The last surviving member of the 1954/55 side that reached the FA Cup semi-final, Tommy passed away in Perth, Australia on the evening of Sunday, December 15.

He was surrounded by wife Betty, daughters Stephanie and Barbara, and his beloved grandchildren.

"He was greatly loved, a true gentleman and legend," Stephanie said. "He touched the hearts of all those who met him."

A friend of the family, Denise Ainscow also paid tribute, saying: "He was a lovely man and a thorough, thorough gentleman."

With 428 appearances to his name, Tommy is sixth on York City's all-time appearance-makers list, and the top goalkeeper by some way, Michael Ingham following the next shot-stopper on the list with exactly 100 fewer outings. He still holds the York City club record for the most clean sheets kept, his 120 edging out Northern Ireland international Ingham by four.

Tommy was born in Middlesbrough on October 12, 1929 and spent five years at Hull City, from whom York bought him for a mere £500 in June 1954.

That figure looked a bargain when, in his debut season, he featured between the sticks during the 'Happy Wanderers' Cup run, which took York to the last four of the illustrious competition and cemented their place in the history books as the first club from the old Third Division to reach that stage.

First Division outfit Tottenham Hotspur and Second Division side Notts County were among the major scalps taken by the Minstermen on the run, which ended against Newcastle United at Roker Park in the semi-final replay after York had taken a 1-1 draw away from Hillsborough.

As a Boro fan, Tommy was particularly excited to come up against Blackpool's Sir Stanley Matthews at Bloomfield Road, where he saved a Jim Kelly penalty in the 2-0 win.

Speaking to The Press in 2015, Tommy said: "We were all proud of what we achieved in the Cup run. It would have been a lifetime ambition to play at Wembley in a Cup final but it’s nice to look back on the good things we achieved and not what could have been.

"During that run, we played against some great international players like Alf Ramsey, Jackie Milburn and Danny Blanchflower and, after the matches, every one of them congratulated the boys for the football they played.

"But I got the most pleasure from playing against Stan Matthews. As a teenager, I supported Middlesbrough so, when Blackpool and the Boro played each other, it was always billed as left-back (George) Hardwick v right-winger Matthews because they were both England players.

"It never happened because every year one was injured. But, in 1955, instead of watching him, I was playing against him. What a thrill."

Tommy emigrated to Australia with his family in 1974. Prior to the start of the 2013/14 campaign, grand-daughter Madelane Davey met Ingham on a trip back to North Yorkshire, where he gave her a signed shirt that he was gifting to Tommy.

Ingham started the 2013/14 campaign just 14 shut-outs shy of Tommy's record, and in the spirit of good-natured competition, the message read: "To Tommy, I'm coming for you, but you'll always be number one."

Knowing the gentleman her grandfather was, Davey said: "I’m surprised nobody has beaten his record but I’m sure he would love it if Michael broke it next season."

Daughter Stephanie said: "His greatest pride was his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

"His parting words were 'take each day as it comes'."