Former Northern Ireland, Blackburn and Sunderland striker Ian Lawther has died, aged 71.
Well-travelled striker dies at age of 71
Former Northern Ireland, Blackburn and Sunderland striker Ian Lawther has died, aged 71.
The Belfast-born forward also played for Scunthorpe, Brentford, Halifax and Stockport and scored 180 goals in a Football League career spent mainly in the lower divisions.
Lawther came to England to join Second Division Sunderland in 1959 after starting his senior career with East Belfast and Crusaders and moved to First Division Blackburn three years later.
The four-cap forward scored 21 goals in 59 League games for Blackburn.
The Ewood Park club said in a statement: "We are saddened to hear of the death of former striker Ian Lawther."
