EDDIE Hopkinson, the record-breaking Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper, has died at the age of 69.

An England international, he made a record 519 appearances for Wanderers between 1956 and 1969 and was a member of the 1958 FA Cup winning side that beat Manchester United 2-0 at Wembley.

Although one of the smallest goalkeepers in the game at 5ft 9ins, Hopkinson was England's keeper in 14 internationals and was a member of the 1958 World Cup squad for Sweden.

Full-back Tommy Banks, who was his team-mate for both club and country, described the man affectionately known as Hoppy as the greatest goalkeeper he had ever seen in "one-to-one" situations.

Durham-born, Hopkinson grew up in Royton after his family moved to Lancashire. He joined Wanderers in August, 1952 after playing as an amateur with Oldham Athletic and got his big break at the start of the 1956-57 season when regular goalkeeper Ken Grieves, the Australian who was also Lancashire's wicketkeeper, was unavailable because of his cricket commitments.

He went on to play 14 seasons for Wanderers -- eight in the First Division -- before being forced to retire through injury in November, 1969.

He remained at the club as assistant trainer and coached the youth and reserve teams before joining Stockport County as assistant manager in July, 1974. He returned to Wanderers in 1979 for a spell as goalkeeping coach before taking up a post working for a chemical company.

When Wanderers awarded him a testimonial in 1971, Portugal's World Cup stars Eusebio and Simoes played in his benefit game at Burnden Park.

Hopkinson, who was inducted into the Wanderers Hall of Fame last season, had been a Reebok regular in recent years, still serving the club as a popular host in the corporate entertainment lounges, as recently as the Tottenham game nine days ago.

He died in his sleep at his home in Royton, leaving a wife, Sheila, and children, Paul and Karen.

Wanderers chairman Phil Gartside said: "It's a shock coming as suddenly as it did. Eddie always has been such a lively character behind the scenes here at the club.

"He was the first goalkeeper I saw playing for Bolton, and obviously being a member of the 1958 FA Cup winning side and an England international, makes him one of our great heroes.

"He is going to be sadly missed at the club."