The former Leeds and Scotland midfielder Billy Bremner died yesterday aged 54, shocking the world of football. Bremner, capped 54 times for his country and the backbone of the great Leeds United side of the 1960s and 1970s, died in Doncaster Royal Infirmary following a suspected heart attack.

Tributes flooded in for Bremner, with many former colleagues shocked and saddened by the news of his death.

Johnny Giles, another of the former Leeds greats, remembered Bremner for his energy and sense of fun: "He was a very energetic man. In a group of people he was the one cracking the jokes and getting everyone going. It is just such a great shock."

Giles also said Bremner should be remembered for his tremendous skill on the football pitch as much as his famous aggression.

"He could do the unexpected and win games for you. He was very skilful and had great talent as well as the aggression which is needed in every player."

Peter Lorimer, who played with Bremner for Leeds and Scotland, said he had lost a long-time friend: "We were a very close group of people at Leeds and we played together for a long, long time. We came through as kids together and had great years at Leeds and roomed together when involved with Scotland," he said.

"He enjoyed life but took his job very seriously. He was captain of Leeds and captain of Scotland and did both jobs magnificently."

Another former club and country colleague, Eddie Gray, now youth coach at Leeds, added: "It is absolutely tragic. He was a smashing fellow who I had known a long, long time. He was a genuine friend."

Former Leeds team-mate Terry Cooper called Bremner's death a terrible loss for football.

"It's a sad loss because he was a tremendous guy. I had troubles two years ago and he was the first one to phone and say, `Are you all right?'," said Cooper.

"He was one of the all-time great British players. He was so quick. I think he scored in every major final or semi-final. When we needed him he was there.

"If I was in the trenches or in trouble, I'd want him right behind me. He was a tremendous player and tremendous talent. It will take a while for it to sink in."

(See also page 3)