John Giles has paid tribute to the Trevor Cherry, his former Leeds United team-mate, as he joined Off The Ball on Thursday evening.
Cherry was a member of the famous Leeds team who won the League Championship under Don Revie in 1974, alongside Giles.
A left-back by trade, Cherry would go on to make 482 appearances for the Yorkshire club in all competitions from 1972 to 1981.
He is the second member of that title-winning side to die in recent weeks, after the passing of Norman Hunter on 17 April.
Trevor Cherry 'reliable person'
"It is hard to take. Eddie [Gray] rang me yesterday and said 'more bad news'," said Giles
"He was a fit lad, Trevor. He always looked well - he was younger than most of us. I just can't believe it - it's very sad."
As for his memories of Cherry as a player, Giles was very complimentary of his team-mate.
"He could get stuck in, like most defenders those days. He always would do a reliable job for you," said Giles.
"He came to our team after we won the FA Cup in 1972 - Jack was on his way out and Terry Cooper was injured.
"A very reliable lad - a reliable player and person."
Giles remembers that Cherry arrived from Huddersfield as Don Revie decided that Jack Charlton was nearing the end.
"Don had decided that Jack was finished. I think he told Jack that he was on his way out.
"Trevor settled into it well, he played most of his games at left-back.
"He was versatile in that he could play across any of the positions across the back four."
Coronavirus fear
Though Cherry passed away from a heart attack, his death - alongside the death of Hunter less than two weeks ago - prompted some reflection for Giles.
"That is the shock. Norman looked well and Trevor looked well. When Eddie rang me yesterday, I thought it was the virus but it was a heart attack."
As for his approach to coronavirus, Giles let us in to his concerns about the situation in the United Kingdom at the moment.
"I'm keeping out of the way. I must be honest, but I'm terrified of it. I go for a walk every day and if someone walks towards me, I cross the road.
"There is not a whole load that we can do at the moment.
"I switch off as much as possible. I get a bit fed up with it at times. They talk about coming back from the lockdown - putting a date on it is silly.
"I am just trying to do all the right things and following the instructions.
Football return
As for what the situation means for the return of football, Giles is keeping things in great perspective following Hunter's passing.
"The government will talk about it because they want something good going out there and a bit of hope for people. I think it is premature.
"What they are talking about is going behind closed doors.
"I know there is a lot of money involved, but you're risking lives when you do it. I don't think it is worth it."
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