'Football has lost one of its greatest characters'

EX-ENGLAND BOSS ALWAYS HAD A TWINKLE IN HIS EYE

- MIKE WALTERS

TERRY VENABLES always knew his chorizo from his hot dogs but, in his glorious incarnation as 'El Tel' at Barcelona, the only thing he missed was pork sausages.

When Malcolm Allison, his long-time coaching mentor and pal, visited him in Spain, Venables had only one request.

And so Big Mal, struggling at skint Middlesbrough at the time, would greet his lifelong friend armed with a string of meaty treats from El Tel's favourite butcher back home.

Somehow those bangers on his breakfast plate made his Spanish adventure complete - a crowning glory of Venables' high life at the Nou Camp.

Not only was he the last English coach to win La Liga, but as a leader of men, he was the Full English - captivating, charming, fascinating, and always with a twinkle in his eye.

Now that twinkle has joined the grand old game's finest coaches in the celestial dugout and football has lost one of its greatest characters.

Terry Venables, the former England coach who threw a great party at Euro 96, has died at the age of 80.

When his Midas touch was invincible, El Tel walked into Barcelona but never had the chance to work with Diego Maradona, who was sold. But he replaced him with Steve Archibald and won the title.