TROON FC have paid tribute to football legend Pele after the man regarded by many as the greatest player of all time passed away.

The three time FIFA World Cup winner and shared FIFA Player of the Century wowed fans across the globe with his fantastic, record-breaking footballing displays.

Pele's death sparked memories among long-standing Ayrshire fans of the day he and his Brazilian team-mates trained at Troon's Portland Park ground in the summer of 1966.

Troon posted a tribute on Twitter saying they were "desperately sad" to learn of Pele's death at the age of 82.

 

 

A now legendary photograph shows Pele walking out on to the Portland Park turf, surrounded by adoring fans waiting to catch a glimpse of their footballing hero.

The Brazil squad came to Ayrshire ahead of a friendly match against Scotland at Hampden as part of their preparations for that summer's World Cup in England.

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Stevie Chalmers opened the scoring for Scotland at Hampden on June 25, 1966, before Servilio levelled for the visitors, with the match ending in a 1-1 draw.

Pele died in hospital in Sao Paolo on Thursday, December 29, after years suffering from kidney and prostate problems.