Tributes pour in for former Mansfield Town manager and Everton star Andy King

How much he was loved by clubs, players and fans alike was reflected in the warmth of their words.

The former Everton star had already recovered from a heart attack back in 2009.

King took Stags to the Third Division play-off semi-finals in 1994/95, where they lost to Chesterfield over two legs.

He also presided over a memorable two-legged League Cup win over Leeds United.

To read a full report on his passing click HEREA chirpy, larger-than-life character, he was at the helm at Field Mill from 1993 to 1996, moving on to have similar success at Swindon Town, where he also took them to the Division Two play-off semi-finals, losing to Brighton on penalties.

More recently he had been assistant manager to Ady Boothroyd at Northampton and finally had a scouting role for MK Dons last year.

Stags chairman John Radford said: “Mansfield Town are saddened to hear of Andy’s passing.

“Andy was well thought of by Stags’ supporters during his time as manager of the club in the mid-nineties.

“Our condolences are sent to his family and friends at this time.”

An Everton club statement read: “Everton Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former midfielder Andy King.

“King, who scored 67 goals in 248 appearances over two spells at Goodison Park, was a crowd favourite and will forever be remembered for netting a spectacular Merseyside derby winner in October 1978.

“The thoughts of everyone at Everton are with Andy’s family and many friends at this sad time.”

Swindon Town’s Twitter account today read: “Swindon Town are saddened to hear that former manager Andy King has passed away. Rest In Peace. #STFC’”

Guy Mowbray ‏@Guymowbray: “Just seen the news of Andy King’s passing. So sad. One of the superstar names of my childhood #RIPKingy.”

Gale ‏@matt_gale_: “If you ever had the chance to meet him then you will never forget it! Real legend and a proper funny man #RIPKingy.”

Alex Rae ‏@alexrae1969: “Life is so fragile just heard of sad news of Andy King passing away ,#RIPKINGY.”

Martin Gregory ‏@MartinGregory4: “Can’t believe the sad news about Andy King! I’m gonna miss him telling me about how he managed @OfficialWolves for about an hour #ripkingy”

Jason Mac ‏@JasonMacMMI: “Absolutely gutted to hear of Andy King’s passing today. A great player, great scout and a great bloke #RIPKingy.”

Michael Reddy ‏@michaelreddy9: “Some great memories of Andy King at Sunderland and Swindon. One of the funniest and most genuine characters you could meet! #RIPKingy.”

Kelvin Langmead ‏@kelvlangers5:“Absolutely heartbreaking news. Just can’t believe it. A top bloke who would do anything for you. RIP KINGY.”

Sara Turner ‏@sara_ntfc: “#RIPKingy such a nice guy who cracked a few jokes with my niece Shelby when she was mascot in 2013.”

Darren Ward ‏@DARR3NWARD: “Sad to hear the terrible news of my former @mansfieldtownfc gaffer #AndyKing passing away. He was an infectiously happy man. #ripgaffer.”

Jason Harrison ‏@jasonpharrison: “Really, really gutted about the news about Andy King. Was a real character and I enjoyed his time at @mansfieldtownfc. RIP.”

Former Wolves, Villa and Walsall defender Derek Mountfield, who played with King in his second spell at Everton tweeted: “Gutted to hear about the passing of Andy King, great player, fella & teammate, will miss his cheeky wit.” #RIPKingy #andyisourking.”

Jon Purdie, who played with King at Wolves, tweeted: “Sad news, he was a very talented and passionate player and a funny, off the wall fella! RIP kingy.”

Notts County left-back Blair Adams, who worked under King at Northampton, tweeted: “Gutted to hear Andy King has passed away. An unbelievably funny and all round great bloke. Helped me settle straight in at @ntfc #rip”

Stagman1966: “Probably one of our most entertaining Managers in the last 50 years.

Every Stags fan loved Andy’s attitude to the way he set teams up. “Okay, you lot can score three, it doesn’t matter, because we’ll score four.”

Always laughing and joking, Andy King was a top bloke. RIP Andy, 58 is way too young to pass away.”

MTFC North Shields: “I have good reason to have fond memories of Andy King. As a lifelong Stags fan, despite moving away from Mansfield in 1977 and living in various places around the country, I took up running whilst living in Cleethorpes in the mid-80s and ran six consecutive London Marathons before a knee problem meant I had to give up running on roads.

But, having already been accepted for what turned out to be my final London Marathon, I decided to do it anyway, not go for a good time but just enjoy myself.

So instead of wearing my running club colours, I decided to do the last one in a Stags shirt but I hadn’t got one. On my way down to London, I called in at Field Mill to buy a shirt - they were yellow and blue stripes at the time.

There was no club shop then but when I got to reception and asked to buy a shirt I was told that there were none left and no more would be coming due to it being near the end of the season and next season Stags would have a new kit.

I was just asking if I could get hold of a shirt from any shop in town when Andy King came through reception from training and asked what the issue was. He was already wearing a first team shirt but it had two large blood stains on it. On hearing my issue, he just stripped the shirt off his back and gave it to me, not only that but he gave me a tenner out of his own pocket towards my sponsorship. I had a great time at the Marathon, really proud to be wearing my unwashed blood stained shirt which I still have.

Apparently Andy told me it was Iffy Onuora’s but they couldn’t use it as the stains were embedded. They actually came out in my first wash, but I saw myself on telly and received loads of encouragement en route in London from people recognizing my Stags shirt. Outside the Houses of Parliament, a mile from the end and me flagging, a London bobby shouted encouragement at me saying ‘come on Mansfield’. I stopped and asked him how he knew it was a Mansfield shirt and I’ll never forget his dry reply, ‘I know my football hooligans son’. Point taken, but thanks for the memory Andy.”

Amber Andy: “Very sad news. He was a great character and as skegbymick says he played and managed with a swagger. I can her the chants even today: “And Andy is our King”, thanks for the memories and all the best to his family and friends.”

Delboystag: “Very sad news indeed! I always liked AK & enjoyed the way we played under him. RIP.”

Skegbymick: “I was sad to hear about Andy King. His management style reflected the way he played for Everton, all action up and at em. Great stuff. Thanks for the memories AK.”

Captain Cunno: “Played some great football under this guy. Sad day.”

Weststandstag: “Just seen it on SSN - very sad news, a real entertainer and we scored goals for fun under King. RIP.”

ParisStag: “Far too young. I remember walking out of Underhill as a kid after winning there and the stags fans all singing “Andy is our King”. Also remember him featuring for Everton legends against Man U legends before the ‘95 Cup final and scoring the winner. RIP.”

Whipster 221073: “I started watching the Stags with my dad in the days of Ian Greaves when I was about 8 or 9, but it was the days of Andy King and then Steve Parkin that I went of my own free will and particularly went on the bus to away games.

“Whilst Andy’s record as manager was non too spectacular results wise, his teams always seemed to play attacking football and brought a smile to many faces.

“The away win at Leeds, the 4-2 home win against the Spireites and the goal glut in 94-95 ?? (I think) were some of the highlights of his spell.”

TBS623: “Sad news, RIP Andy. Witnessed some of the most entertaining footie I’ve ever seen at Field Mill. 19 Goals scored in 4 games over the Christmas period that play-off season, including 4-2 against ‘them’ & the unearthing of O’Neill Donaldson!”

AndyStag: “Always up for a laugh and a joke. Remember him practising his golf swing in the office in close season after Steve Wilkinson had been sold to Preston. Kingy just joked that Haslam had bought a new BMW and called it ‘Wilko’. Rest in peace Andy another one gone too soon.”

Martin Shaw: “Very sad news. A great character, and his team at Mansfield played wonderfully attacking football. RIP.”

KirkbyStag2: “RIP Andy, we played some great entertaining football with goals galore, if I remember correctly we were the top scorers of all the 92 league teams 94/95. Who can forget the 12 goals in 2 days, 7 past Hereford and 5 past Scarborough. 6-2 v Lincoln with Iffy Onuora scoring a hat-trick in about 5 minutes.”

Melbourne Stag: “I’ll never forget him on top of the dug-out after beating Leeds at the Mill in 1994. One of football’s remaining characters. RIP Andy.