TRIBUTES have flooded in from the world of football to Everton legend Dave Hickson, who grew up and lived in Ellesmere Port.

The centre forward, known as ‘The Cannonball Kid’, passed away in hospital after a short illness on Monday, July 8, aged 83.

That night, friends gathered at his local pub, The Nag’s Head, opposite his home at Cannell Court, Willaston, leaving a half pint of Guinness – which Hickson called his “medicine” – at the table he always sat at.

Landlady Sonya Miller said he will be missed at the pub, where his friends included comic Stan Boardman.

She added: “Everyone was here on Monday night.

“There were a lot of people who were extremely close to him. He had a really good sense of humour.

“He lived across the road from us. Everyone used to check on him and make sure he was OK.”

At the time of his death, film-makers were working on a documentary, ‘Dave Hickson – Cannonball Kid’, featuring interviews with Bill Kenwright, Joe Royle and the man himself, with much of the filming taking place at the Nag’s Head.

Sonya added: “On Monday morning he was chatting away to the nurses and the day before he was chatting away about Everton’s fixtures.

“He did live and breathe football. If you asked him about a match, he was able to remember every detail.

Everton FC chairman Bill Kenwright, who was a close friend of Hickson, described the former Blues player as a “hero”.

He said: “I have had many idols in my life but only one true hero.

“Dave Hickson made me an Evertonian.

“In my seven-year-old eyes he was simply the greatest centre-forward on the planet. In my 67th year on that planet I am still of that opinion.”

Just a month ago, his friend, comic Stan Boardman, set up ‘Dave’s Bistro’ on his lawn to welcome Hickson back from a hospital stay.

Hickson was born in Salford but moved to Ellesmere Port when he was just 12 months old.

Nicknamed The Cannonball Kid because of his lethal performances as a player for Everton in the 1950s, he also had spells with Liverpool, Tranmere, Aston Villa and Huddersfield Town during an illustrious career.

Kenny Birch, who played with Hickson in the 50s, said he was a "gentle giant".

He added: "He could play football with the best of them and he could play the rough stuff if it needed to be played. He will be greatly missed."

Hickson made his debut for non-league Ellesmere Port Town FC at the age of 16, before being snapped up by Blues' boss Cliff Britton in 1948. But he was not able to play for Everton for three years while he completed National Service, during which he played in the Cheshire Army Cadets team.

Hickson once described his arduous journey to Goodison Park.

He said: “I used to get the bus over and then the boat when I first started. I left school at 14 then. I got here by bus from Ellesmere Port to Birkenhead, then the boat over and then the tram. “

In 1955 he married first wife Irene Jones, of Ellesmere Port.

After a spell as player-manager of Ellesmere Port Town FC in the mid-60s he became boss again in 1976.

When a football career earning £20 a week ended, he worked as a rat-catcher for Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council.

But the man who once famously said: “I’ve played for some great clubs, and I would have broken every bone in my body for them, but I would have died for Everton” stayed close to the club.

He took up a post taking stadium tours and appearing in lounges on matchdays, becoming famous at the club for ordering two soups for a starter. He even turned up for duty the day after his wife of 25 years, Pat, died at the home they shared in Greystones, Great Sutton, in November 2010.

Dave suffered a heart attack shortly before Everton beat Sunderland 7-1 in November 2007 but returned to his role soon after his recovery.

He was known for being strong, fearless and combative – and for the flamboyant quiff he sported throughout his career.

His prowess on the pitch saw him net 111 goals for Everton, 38 for Bill Shankly’s Liverpool and 21 for Tranmere in a total of 355 appearances for the three clubs.

Upon Hickson’s return to Everton in 1957, fans sang: “He came from a little place called Ellesmere Port, football was his favourite sport, came to Goodison for half a crown, then went to the Villa for twenty thousand pounds, Daviiee…”

Everton FC captain Phil Jagielka said: “Dave was always a friendly face at Goodison Park and he loved watching the team.

“There are many people who knew him better than me but he would come into the dressing room after games to take our Man of the Match into the lounges and he loved being amongst the lads.

“He was clearly an immensely popular person with everyone at Goodison and the supporters idolised him. He was a legend and always will be. On behalf of all the players at Everton I’d like to send our sympathy to the family. It’s a desperately sad time for all of us here at the club but even more so for his family.”

A book of condolence has opened at Goodison Park and an online condolence message board has also been set up on Everton’s website.