Former Norwich City defender Phil Hoadley has died aged 72, the Canaries have confirmed via social media. 

The club confirmed the news on Sunday afternoon, writing: "We are saddened to learn of the passing of former player and employee Phil Hoadley. Everyone at the club sends our condolences to Phil’s family and friends."

Hoadley joined Norwich in 1978 from Leyton Orient, becoming the first player to use the freedom of contract legislation with a tribunal setting his value at £110,000. He refused to sign a new contract with the London club, allowing him to negotiate his own transfer. 

During his time at Carrow Road, the hard-tackling half-back made 89 appearances, scoring on one occasion. A knee injury during a loan spell with Hong Kong side Eastern Athletic in 1982 prematurely ended his career. 

He remained in local football in Norfolk, managing Norwich United, Holt United and Loddon as well assisting Mark Barham at Fakenham Town. Hoadley returned to work at City in 1997 as Football in the Community officer. 

Hoadley began his career at Crystal Palace and played nearly 300 games for Orient over a six-year spell at Brisbane Road, which included captaining them to the FA Cup semi-final in 1978 in a run that included a third-round victory over Norwich.