FORMER Boro physio Lew Clayton has died after a short illness, aged 85.

Mr Clayton, who retired to live in Redcar, joined Middlesbrough in 1977 to work under manager John Neal after trainer Jimmy Headridge left Ayresome Park to take up a post in the United Arab Emirates.

He also served under Bobby Murdoch and Malcolm Allison before leaving Middlesbrough for Swansea in 1983.

Mr Clayton started his playing career with hometown club Barnsley during the Second World War, working down the mines during the week before turning out for his team on Saturdays.

He spent eight years with Barnsley before moving to Queens Park Rangers in 1950 and Bournemouth in 1955. Two years later, he was part of the Third Division side that caused major FA Cup upsets by defeating Wolves and Spurs.

The Cherries went all the way to the quarter-finals where they lost to Manchester United’s famous Busby Babes shortly before the Munich air disaster.

Mr Clayton then moved to Swindon, where he teamed up with John Neal on the playing field, and later joined non-league Wisbech Town.

After his playing career ended, Mr Clayton had various jobs at Cambridge United, Doncaster Rovers and Cardiff City, ranging from pitch duties to treating injured players. He was also caretaker manager at Cardiff for a brief period.

He maintained his keen interest in the game all his life. He leaves a daughter, Christine, and one grand-daughter, Sarah.