Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick has led the tributes to former England and Everton defender Brian Labone, who died at the age of 66.Labone won 26 caps and appeared in the 1968 European Championships and 1970 World Cup. He spent his entire professional career with Everton making more than 500 appearances for the club. Labone lifted the FA Cup as Everton captain at Wembley in 1966 and was part of the League Championship winning teams of 1963 and 1970.Barwick told the FA website: "Brian was one of football´s true gentlemen - a one club man and a legend in Everton´s history. Growing up on Merseyside, the keen rivalry between Liverpool and Everton was always fair-minded and fans appreciated the qualities of players on both sides. Brian´s strengths were of the highest calibre - a cool, classy, committed defender and a great leader of his team."
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