Nigel Cassidy, Oxford United's swashbuckling striker of the early 1970s, has died at the age of 62.

The former fans' favourite at the Manor Ground, who scored 33 goals in 113 League starts between 1970 and 1974, had been ill for some time.

A former striking partner of Kevin Keegan at Scunthorpe, Cassidy joined Oxford United for a club record £20,000 and formed a formidable partnership up front with Hugh Curran. He moved to Cambridge four years later for £28,000 and later went to the States, where he played for Denver.

After his footballing career, he went into the pub business at Launton, near Bicester, and was a tenant at the Black Bull for five years.

With a love of the West Country, he moved to Cornwall and turned the Molesworth Arms Hotel in Wadebridge into a thriving business before selling it a year ago.

Sons Darren and Stuart became good sportsmen, playing rugby for Bicester, where they reached the Provincial Insurance Cup final at Twickenham two years in succession, and for Oxfordshire.

Curran was devastated at the news of Cassidy's death. "I first met him when we were both at Norwich. Nigel had been rattling in the goals for Lowestoft and we hit it off quickly at Carrow Road," he told the Oxford United website. "He was a great character and when I came to Oxford later in my career, I was delighted to find him already here.

"He was a terrific player who I really enjoyed playing alongside, and great fun to be around off the pitch. It's terribly sad news."

United chairman Nick Merry said: "Nigel was one of my first heroes. He had such charisma and really bonded with the Oxford fans.

"I was a young lad on the terraces and he was one of the great idols of the time. I was very fortunate to play for him when he managed Banbury and to get to know him, and he was a great man.

"It's very sad news, and our thoughts are with his family."