Ipswich Town legend Ted Phillips, the player reputed to have the hardest shot in football in his prime, has died at the age of 84.

Phillips – who died in an Ipswich nursing home – formed a lethal strike partnership with Ray Crawford which was crucial to Town's spectacular climb up the Football League ladder, winning the Second Division Championship in 1960-61, and the First Division Championship at the first time of asking the following season.

In the Championship-winning season Crawford scored 33 in the league and Phillips 28. Phillips' were the spectacular ones – he was renowned as having the hardest shot in football.

Reacting to the news, Town tweeted: 'We are deeply saddened to hear the news of one of our former players Ted Phillips, who has passed away aged 84.

'Ted was part of #itfc's 1961-62 title winning squad and the thoughts of everybody at Ipswich Town are with his family and friends at this very difficult time.'

The club also tweeted a picture of the Town flag flying at half mast above the Cobbold Stand with the words 'RIP Ted - and thank you.'

The club is planning a tribute at this Saturday's home clash with Leeds – players are expected to wear black armbands and take part in a minute's applause.

Phillips started his football career at Leiston before doing his National Service. He was recommended to Ipswich manager Scott Duncan by Leiston Town boss Ian Gillespie.

Phillips made his debut for Ipswich at Watford in March 1954 but it was not until 1955-56 season that he started to show his true potential when Ramsey was in his second season in charge. Injuries frustrated Ted who spent 1955-56 season with Stowmarket in the Eastern Counties League. Ipswich, though, retained his registration. It was not until 1956-57 season that Ipswich realised that they had a prize asset – he scored 41 league goals as Ipswich won Division Three (South).

It was the season that Ramsey started to build his Championship winning team with Roy Bailey, Jimmy Leadbetter and John Elsworthy already installed.