KEVIN RATCLIFFE

From Mancot, near Wrexham, whilst in his pomp Ratcliffe had few peers as a centre-back.

As well as being a no-nonsense defender, he was elegant with it and had pace to burn that enabled him to keep up with the quickest strikers on the planet to nick the ball off them.

He became Everton captain at the age of just 23, leading that great Goodison side of the mid-80s to two league title triumphs, an FA Cup win, the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup and various other Wembley appearances.

As skipper, he was the one privileged to be able to lift the trophy.

Played for Everton over a 12-year period, making more than 350 appearances, before dropping down the leagues to help the Cardiff City Class of 1993, the famed Eddie May team, win the old Division Four title.

As a leader of Everton, it was inevitable he would soon take on the captain’s armband for Wales too and he led Wales to many narrow qualification misses.

Tried his hand at management, but works these days as a pundit for BBC Wales and also does after dinner speaking.