FORMER Hereford United player Ron Hewitt has died at the age of 73.

Flint-born Hewitt made 26 appearances as an inside-right for United in the 1963-64 campaign.

Groomed at Wolves by the legendary Stan Cullis, Hewitt went on to win five caps for Wales and was one of the Principality's heroes of the 1958 World Cup.

The lively Hewitt made three appearances at the World Cup in Sweden where Wales reached the quarter-finals, losing only to eventual winners Brazil through a Pele goal.

The little Welshman joined Hereford towards the end of an illustrious career in which he also played for Cardiff City, Wrexham, Coventry and Chester.