Former Norwich City player Ian Mellor has died at the age of 74, his son Neil has announced via social media. 

Mellor had been battling illness and passed away on Wednesday. He played for Norwich between 1973-74, playing 43 games and scoring on nine occasions before signing for Brighton and Hove Albion where he earned the nickname 'the Spider'. 

Norwich signed winger Mellor from Manchester City for a fee of £65,000 in 1973 and helped the club remain in the top division. 

He also had spells at Chester, Sheffield Wednesday, Bradford City and Worksop Town as well as a brief period in Hong Kong playing for Tung Sing. 

His death was announced by his son Neil, who enjoyed a career of his own at Liverpool, West Ham and Preston and is now a Sky Sports pundit. 

"My Dad, My Hero, I love you," Mellor wrote on his social media platform. "Thank you for everything. 19/02/1950 - 01/05/2024.

"We are all absolutely devastated to have lost my Dad.

"Big thanks to St Ann’s Hospice and all their brilliant staff who helped during those last days as he battled so hard against amyloidosis."