FORMER Wanderers defender Ray Deakin has lost his battle against brain cancer.

The Liverpool-born footballer was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer earlier this year, and died on Christmas Eve morning, aged just 49.

Deakin began his career at Everton, where he signed his first professional contract in 1977.

After being released in 1981, he joined Port Vale, where he spent one season before joining Bolton Wanderers in the summer of 1982.

He played 100 times for the Wanderers over three years, signing for Burnley in 1985.

Deakin etched his name into Turf Moor folklore when he helped the club avoid dropping out of the Football League on the final day of the 1986/87 season, with goals from Neil Grewcock and Ian Britton earning a famous 2-1 win.

He became the first player in more than 26 years to captain a Burnley side at Wembley, when they faced Wolves in the Sherpa Van Trophy final.