Norwich City Football Club is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former player Duncan Forbes.

Aged 78, Forbes passed away surrounded by his family at Woodside House Care Home on Wednesday evening following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s.

Both as a player and, later, as a member of the club’s commercial and scouting staff, Edinburgh-born Forbes was a hugely popular figure at Carrow Road.

He made a total of 357 appearances for the club over a 13-year period. Signing from Colchester in September 1968, central defender Forbes would go on to captain City and form part of the Football League Second Division-winning side in the 1971-72 season, securing Norwich’s first-ever promotion to the top-flight.

Forbes also had the honour of twice captaining City in League Cup finals at Wembley, narrowly missing out on winners’ medals following 1-0 defeats against Tottenham in 1973 and Aston Villa in 1975.

He was inducted as an inaugural member into the club’s Hall of Fame in 2002.

A statement from the club’s joint majority shareholders Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones said: “Duncan was a commanding figure, both on and off the pitch.

“He was the backbone of our defence for many years. Unrelenting in the tackle and an inspiration to the rest of the team whom he would call out in a voice that could be heard way outside the ground.

“We have lost not only a club legend but someone who will forever be part of Norwich City folklore.

“City to the core, and one of the nicest men you could hope to meet, Duncan will be sorely missed by the club, but his legacy will forever live on.”

Everyone at Norwich City Football Club would like to offer their sincere condolences to the family and friends of Duncan at this sad time and ask that the family’s wishes for privacy are respected.

The family would like to place on record their thanks to all of the staff at Woodside House Care Home in Norwich.

Details of official club tributes and how supporters can pay their respects to Duncan will be announced shortly.