Andy King, one of Everton’s most popular and charismatic players of the 1970s, has died of a heart attack at the age of 58.

The Luton-born midfielder scored 67 goals in 248 appearances for Everton during two spells with a club where his passion and knack of scoring important goals made him a firm favourite with the fans. He also suffered a heart attack in 2009.

King, signed for £35,000 in 1976 by Billy Bingham after only 33 games for Luton Town, was immediately embraced by the Goodison Park faithful at what was a difficult period for the club. The midfielder’s stock rose higher after he scored a stunning winning goal against Liverpool in 1978 to give Everton their first victory in a Merseyside derby for seven years.

He joined QPR in 1980 having lost his way under the manager Gordon Lee but returned to Goodison two years later in a swap deal with West Bromwich Albion for the forward Peter Eastoe arranged by the new Everton manager Howard Kendall. A serious knee injury hindered his second spell at Goodison and he moved to the Dutch side Cambuur Leeuwarden just as Everton’s successful period of the mid-1980s commenced.

King, who had played twice for England Under-21s, later had playing spells with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Luton among others before managing Mansfield Town and Swindon Town, where he had two spells in charge. He also coached at Sunderland alongside his former Everton team-mate Peter Reid and has been working as chief scout for MK Dons.

King took over as caretaker manager of Northampton following Aidy Boothroyd’s departure in late 2013 but returned to scouting with MK Dons two months later.

A statement on the Dons’ club website, said: “Milton Keynes Dons Football Club are devastated to learn that chief scout Andy King has suddenly passed away at the age of 58.

“He passed away suddenly after a heart attack at his home on Wednesday. King, who joined the Dons’ backroom staff in 2014, was a hugely respected figure throughout football and a magnificent individual and friend to many at MK Dons – he will be missed greatly.

“The thoughts of everyone at MK Dons are with Andy’s wife Barbara, his family and his friends at this extremely sad and difficult time.”