Former Albion striker John Shepherd has died at the age of 86 after battling illness.

Shepherd joined the Seagulls from Millwall in 1958 and finished top scorer for Billy Lane's side in the old second division in his debut campaign with 17 goals in 36 games.

He notched 19 goals in 45 appearances in total for the club before ending his professional playing career at Gillingham.

Shepherd later returned to Albion as a scout and youth team coach.

A popular and well-respected figure in Sussex football, he was also player-manager at Southwick and managed the Sussex men's representative side.