Workington Reds to celebrate life of former player and ex Carlisle United manager Clive Middlemass

Tributes have been paid to Middlemass after it was announced yesterday that he had died aged 77.

His career included a six-year spell with the Borough Park club in the 1960s.

And Middlemass will be remembered when his two former Cumbrian clubs face each other in a pre-season friendly in Workington on Saturday.

READ MORE: Carlisle United pay tribute to former manager and ex-Workington Reds player Clive Middlemass

Workington, in an article on their website remembering Middlemass, said: "We send our condolences to his family and friends and will celebrate his life at the Carlisle United game on Saturday."

Yorkshire-born Middlemass started out at Leeds United before joining Reds in 1963.

He went on to establish himself in the Workington defence until 1969 when - at a time a move to a big club had been mooted - he was involved in a serious car accident.

That kept him out of the game for several months and an attempted comeback proved short-lived.

READ MORE: Tribute to a manager who gave Carlisle United supporters hope in hard times

Middlemass made 201 appearances for Workington, scoring seven goals, before moving into coaching with Bristol Rovers and Bristol City under Terry Cooper.

He then managed Carlisle from 1987-91, helping rebuild the team after a steep decline and coming close to promotion in the 1989/90 season.

He later had further coaching and scouting spells at Burnley, Derby County, Preston North End and Everton.

Carlisle yesterday paid tribute to their former manager - describing him as "well respected" and a "total gentleman" - while some of Middlemass's other clubs also remembered him.

Bristol City said: "Rest in peace, Clive. Our thoughts are with his friends and family."

Burnley added: "We are saddened to learn of the loss of former assistant manager, Clive Middlemass. Our thoughts are with his family and friends."

Carlisle take on Workington on Saturday at 3pm.