Former England striker dies

London - Former Burnley and England striker Ray Pointer has died at the age of 79, his former club announced on Tuesday.

Born in Northumberland, northeast England in 1936, Pointer joined Burnley in 1955 and went on to become the Lancashire club's second-highest scorer of all time.

Pointer was also a key member of the Burnley side that won the old First Division Championship, the forerunner of the Premier League.

In total, he scored 132 goals in 270 appearances for the Clarets.

Pointer also had spells at Bury, Coventry and Portsmouth followed before he finished his playing career at non-league Waterlooville.

For England, he scored two goals in three appearances.

Pointer died peacefully at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, northwest England, and a statement on Burnley's website said: "All of us at Burnley Football Club extend our sympathies to Ray's family and friends at this very sad time."