Everton Chairman Bill Kenwright has paid tribute to former "humble, warm and self effacing" Gordon Lee, who "created one of the most exciting, free-flowing Everton teams it was ever my good fortune to witness".

Lee became manager of the Blues in 1977, succeeding Billy Bingham, and led the Club to a League Cup final, two FA Cup semi-finals and a pair of top-four finishes during his tenure at Goodison Park.

He was responsible for bringing Graeme Sharp - Everton's post-war leading goalscorer - to Merseyside from Dumbarton in 1980.

Cannock-born Lee also handed an Everton debut to Kevin Ratcliffe, who went on to become the Club's most successful-ever captain following a trophy-laden spell in the mid-late '80s.

"Gordon created one of the most exciting, free-flowing Everton teams it was ever my good fortune to witness - a side which came desperately close to achieving silverware in 1977 and 1978," Kenwright told evertonfc.com.

"He took us to Wembley, took us into Europe twice and was also the man who brought club legend Graeme Sharp to Goodison Park in 1980.

"But more importantly he was a humble, warm and self-effacing man who embodied so many of the qualities we hold dear at Everton Football Club.

"He was a regular visitor to Goodison Park in recent years and we will dearly miss him.

"Rest in Peace, Gordon."