Crystal Palace Football Club are sad to announce that former player, trainer and scout Cecil 'Jess' Willard passed away last Friday aged 81.

Jess joined Crystal Palace in the summer of 1953 from Brighton and over the next two seasons the wing-half made 47 first-team appearances, scoring five goals until injury ended his playing career.

Jess then became one of the club's trainers, initially with the juniors, and was an important member of the backroom staff in the 1960s leading up to the club's promotion to the top-flight in 1969. Jess remained as a coach in Division One and then became a scout until leaving the club in 1973.

One of Jess' sons, Terry, was involved with the supporters club for a number of years and the club send its condolences to Jess' family at this time.