Tributes have been paid to "true legend of Chester Football Club" Derek Draper, who has died at the age of 81.

Derek Draper enjoyed a successful football playing career, and will be remembered among long-serving Blues fans as being part of the 1974/75 squad which saw the club enjoy a fantastic run in the League Cup, where they advanced to the semi-finals in a run which included a fantastic 3-0 win against English League champions Leeds United – arguably the club's greatest ever performance.

It was in the semi-finals where Chester lost narrowly to Aston Villa.

Born in Swansea in 1943, Derek became a professional football player with Swansea City in 1962, enjoying a fine FA Cup run the following season.

Following transfers to Derby County and Bradford Park Avenue, Chester manager Ken Roberts paid £5,000 to seal the deal and bring Derek to Chester in 1969.

The Welsh Under-23 international was renowned for his trademark headed flick-ons and would go on to be one of the club's best goalscorers and long-serving players, notching up 54 goals in 322 Football League appearances.

In April 1977, Derek played his final professional match in Chester's game against Portsmouth.

In later years, Derek was employed in the commercial department at Sealand Road and also worked as a postman and milkman in the Chester area, where was also involved in local football for a number of years. He was also inducted into the club's 'Hall of Fame'.

Sadly, Derek latterly had a long-term battle with dementia. His family said: "Derek slipped away peacefully at the Countess of Chester Hospital on Thursday [August 29], surrounded by his family."

As part of a tribute on the club's website, Chester FC wrote: "He was an active and respected member of the Chester Former Players’ Association and will be greatly missed by those who had the privilege of playing alongside him or watching him from the terraces.

"On behalf of everyone at the club, we extend our deepest condolences to Derek’s family and many friends."