Former Wolves midfielder Martin Patching dies age 65
Former Wolves star Martin Patching has died at the age of 65.
Patching, a former England schoolboy international, had his best seasons in gold and black in 1976-77 and 1977-78 when he made 35 and 36 appearances respectively.
The midfielder was a substitute in the FA Cup semi-final defeat against Arsenal at Villa Park in 1979.
Patching came back from two cruciate ligament knee operations to return to top flight football while at Wolves.
The Wolves Former Players' Association announced the news in a post on social media. It stated: "All at the FPA are saddened to hear of the passing of Martin Patching at the age of 65.
"A talented and powerful midfielder who played in the 1976 FA Youth Cup Final and went on to make 101 senior appearances and score 11 goals. Sincere condolences to Martin's family and friends."
Rotherham-born Patching went on to play for Watford under Graham Taylor from 1979-83, before a loan move to Northampton Town and a spell in non-league football.
In 2006, Patching underwent 14 hours of lifesaving surgery having collapsed on the way to watch Watford's play-off victory over Leeds. He was eventually diagnosed with a tumour.
He was diagnosed with a second tumour two years later.
Patching told the wolvesheroes.com website in 2008: "Thankfully, the tumour is benign, as the last one was, and it’s just something I need to get sorted out.
“The last one was the size of a cricket ball and would have killed me within three months had they not diagnosed and removed it."
He added: "I collapsed at the motorway services on my way to Cardiff and insisted on going to the Championship play-off final rather than to hospital. I don’t know why I bothered because I don’t remember a thing about the game.”
Patching, who grew up a Wolves fan, became a part-time football reporter after his retirement from the game.
