Former Altrincham FC captain and manager John King has died, the club announced yesterday.

In a statement on the club' website, it said King, an icon of the club, died on the morning of Tuesday, February 7.

As both a player and manager, King was part of some Altrincham teams that provided shock results in the FA Cup, despite the fact the club was a semi-professional set up.

As a player, he was involved in the 1-1 draw Altrincham achieved at Tottenham Hotspur's White Hart Lane stadium in the third round of the cup in 1979.

As a manager in the 1985-86 season, King led The Robins to one of the biggest FA Cup giant-killings of all time when they beat Birmingham City 2-1 away.

Former joint editor of The Robins' Review, Terry Rowley, wrote of King: "John King is someone who needs no introduction to Alty fans and is a man whose name will be forever linked with the history of Altrincham FC as a player, a manager, a director and one-time saviour of the club.

"Every Altrincham fan has their favourite Kingy memory (and let's be honest there were plenty of them).

"John King will always be remembered at Moss Lane, a true Colossus and one worthy to stand in the pantheon of Alty legends."

Altrincham FC said in its statement that it offered condolences to King's family, friends and fans who are grieving the death of "one of Altrincham's greatest.

Tributes poured in on social media following the announcement of King's death.

Current Alty striker Jordan Hulme wrote: "You forget how hard this great club worked to get here sometimes. RIP John."

Former Altrincham player Nick Daws, who played under King both at Alty and Bury, described King as a "legend" who was "one of the most influential figures" in his career.

Football journalist Andy Mitten said the news was "really sad" and that King was "a colossal figure in non-league football" and a "character".

The club added in its statement that a full tribute will be added to the website "to reflect on John's Altrincham career and his incomparable impact on our football club".