FORMER Newport County player and manager Fred Stansfield has died at the age of 96.

The defender from Whitchurch won a Wales cap in 1948 while with his hometown club Cardiff City, whom he captained to promotion in 1947.

He moved to Somerton Park on loan in September 1949 after recovering from a broken ankle.

Stansfield made 21 appearances for County and became player-manager in March 1950 following the resignation of Tommy Bromilow.

The Ironsides finished 21st in Division Three South in 1950 but were re-elected and finished 11th in 1951, sixth the following year and 15th in 1953. Stansfield resigned in 1953, when he was succeeded by Billy Lucas, and went on to manage Bedford Town before retiring to run a newsagent in Whitchurch.

He died in his sleep at the Shire Hall Care Home in Cardiff on Sunday.

A spokesman from Newport County AFC said: "We offer our condolences to the family of Fred Stansfield at this sad time and we will be marking Fred's achievements before our next home game against Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday."

A statement from the Bluebirds reads: “Cardiff City Football Club are deeply saddened by the news of former 1940s Bluebirds captain Fred Stansfield passing, offering our sincere condolences to his family at this time.

“In accordance with family wishes we will rightly and proudly honour his memory with fellow Cardiff City supporters; Fred among the most celebrated players in the club’s history. “Rest in peace Fred, our thoughts and prayers are with you.”