A MEMBER of the last Newcastle United team to win a major trophy has lost his battle against cancer.

Jackie Sinclair, a winger who played 52 games for the Toon and helped the club to its 1969 Fairs Cup victory, died earlier this month aged 67.

Mr Sinclair scored eight goals for the Tyneside outfit between 1967 and 1969, including one against Rangers in the Fairs Cup semi-final second leg at St James’ Park.

United went on to record a 6-2 aggregate victory over Hungarian side Ujpesti Dozsa in the final, which was played over two legs.

The Scottish-born player was at Dunfermline and Leicester City before moving to Tyneside for a near-record fee of £67,500 in December 1967. He later moved to Sheffield Wednesday.

Current Newcastle boss Chris Hughton paid tribute, saying: “Everyone at the club was very saddened to learn of the untimely death of Jackie Sinclair.

“We knew he had been bravely battling cancer and had been unwell for some time.

“I’m told Jackie was a terrific player during his time at St James’ Park, and was instrumental in helping the club win the Fairs Cup back in 1969.’’