Former Carlisle United star Mike Sutton has died, his son Chris today said.

He was 76.

Sutton, who played for the Blues in the early 1970s, had suffered from dementia for several years.

Chris, the former Norwich and Blackburn star, announced the sad news on Twitter this morning.

He wrote: "My dad Mike sadly passed away yesterday.

"He was a great sportsman, teacher, husband, dad and grandad. He was my hero and I will miss him so much."

Mike Sutton played for Norwich and Chester before joining the Blues in 1970.

He made 60 appearances for the Cumbrians in two campaigns, scoring on his debut against Middlesbrough and playing alongside stars such as Chris Balderstone, Stan Bowles and Bob Hatton.

He was known as a health and fitness fanatic and was well respected by players and fans.

He later became a teacher and is credited by Chris Sutton as being a driving force behind his Premier League career. Another son, John, played for Carlisle.

Sutton senior first started showing the symptoms of dementia about 10 years ago and had increasingly suffered from the condition since then.

Chris Sutton highlighted his dad's plight as part of a campaign to urge football to do more to investigate links between the game and dementia, including in this recent interview with the News & Star.

Carlisle United today paid tribute to their former player.

Blues chairman Andrew Jenkins said: “Mike was a quiet, humble and extremely likeable man who did his job in an efficient and professional manner.

"I remember him as a wing half and Alan Ashman always described him as a very reliable member of his squad.

"He really looked after himself and he had a very forward-looking attitude. In fact, he was one of the first to insist on a vegetarian style pre-match meal when the other lads would be having the traditional choice of a steak.

"He was respected by his fellow professionals for his approach and was a man others would look to for advice, and it was no surprise when he went into teaching and lecturing as his second career.

"This is very sad news and the thoughts of everyone at the club are with his family and friends at this sad time."