COVENTRY City Football Club are saddened by the passing of former player Barry Hawkings on Sunday, May 9.

The ex-Sky Blues striker died at the weekend, aged 78, after a short illness.

Hawkings joined the Sky Blues as part of a group of talented young players who came through the Sky Blues' nursery club Modern Machines in the late 1940s and netted 12 goals in 34 appearances over three seasons for the club between 1953 and 1956 including a memorable hat-trick in a 6-0 win over Swindon Town.

The Birmingham-born hitman was also a member of the Coventry City Former Players' Association and attended the CCFPA-organised Legends Day at the Ricoh Arena in 2008.

Coventry City would like to pass on its sincerest condolences to Barry Hawkings' family and friends during this difficult time and pay tribute to the former player.