We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends.

Britton represented the Blues over a 10-year period, making 289 appearances and scoring 34 goals during his time at the club.

Born in Dundee, Scotland, he signed for Chelsea as an apprentice in 1971, having started his career at local team Hillside Rangers.

An energetic midfielder, he possessed a good touch and had the knack of contributing vital goals. He was an integral member of the young, almost entirely homegrown side which achieved promotion back to the top flight under the stewardship of Eddie McCreadie in 1976/77.

Britton turned professional at the same time as Garry Stanley, Gary Locke, Graham Wilkins and Steve Sherwood, who had all been part of the same talented youth team, and it was during the 1972/73 season when he was handed his first team debut, coming on as a substitute in a 1-1 home draw against Derby County.

It was a significant step up for all of those younger players, who were coming into a side which had tasted success in both the FA Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup just a few years previously.

Their transition was aided by advice and encouragement offered by experienced players such as Peter Osgood, David Webb, Alan Hudson and Charlie Cooke, and although the subsequent departure of all four of those stars soon afterwards hastened a downturn in fortunes for the club, culminating in relegation to the Second Division in 1975, it also provided an opportunity for the likes of Britton to establish a place as a regular in the side.

Replacing Cooke, a fans’ favourite, was no easy task but he took his chance well and made more appearances than any other player, aside from captain Ray Wilkins, during that first season in the Second Division.

It was during the following campaign, 1976/77, when Britton really began to flourish and make a big impact.

McCreadie reshaped the side as we looked to return to the top flight at the second time of asking and chose to play with a midfield diamond. Wilkins was deployed at the tip, while Britton operated on the left-hand side with license to roam. Garry Stanley and Ray Lewington completed the quartet and it worked to great effect.