Former Albion defender Guy Butters has paid a fabulous tribute to England goal-getter Paul Mariner.

The former Plymouth, Ipswich, Arsenal and Portsmouth centre-forward has died at the age of 68.

On the day England play one of the biggest matches of their history, Mariner will be remembered as the man who led the line, notably at the 1982 World Cup in which they remained unbeaten.

Butters, who played centre-back for the Seagulls towards the end of his career, used his Facebook account to give great insight of how Mariner played the game.

He wrote: “When I was a schoolboy at Spurs, at the young age of 15, I was a central midfielder and had next to no chance of making my way in the game in that position.

“One Saturday there was a behind-closed-doors reserve game arranged against Arsenal and I was asked to play centre-half.

“I think that this was the coaching staff having a look to see if I was worth a gamble on in a different position.

“Who should I be up against but Paul Mariner, who gave me a massive battle on the day and also gave me a lovely black eye from a stray elbow.

“Throughout the game he was talking to me, even telling me what position to take up and sometimes to not get too tight to him because he could roll me easily.

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“Absolute class gesture from an ageing pro who could tell he was playing against a young player and wanted to give advice, even though he was playing for the opposition.”

The help did not end there.

Butters continued: “After the game he came over to my mum and dad and told them that I’d given as good as I got and that he enjoyed the battle, wishing us luck.

“I don’t think he believed it when he found out how old I was, but it gave me a bit of kudos at school on the Monday when I explained who gave me the shiner. RIP Paul.”

Mariner scored 13 goals in 35 games for England. He died following a short  battle with brain cancer.