Ed Foss Former Norwich City legend Ron Davies, who played a starring centre forward role for the Canaries in the 1960s, is to undergo a much-needed hip operation later in the year thanks to an international whip-round.

Ed Foss

Former Norwich City legend Ron Davies, who played a starring centre forward role for the Canaries in the 1960s, is to undergo a much-needed hip operation later in the year thanks to an international whip-round.

He is to have the surgery near his home in New Mexico in April, thanks to supporters of his former clubs Southampton, Norwich and Chester.

Now 65 years old, Davies was once considered a Carrow Road dynamo known particularly for his skill in the air. Many fans believe he was one of the best headers of the ball there has ever been in English football.

Davies won the hearts of the Carrow Road faithful early in his career through scoring in each of his first four matches.

Now more than 40 years on Davies, whose 1966 sale for a derisory sum to Southampton sparked an outcry among Canaries fans, needs a hip operation to keep him out of a wheelchair. Davies fell on hard times recently after being laid off from his job as a roof tiler and lives on a trailer park in Albuquerque.

A "Give it to Ron" appeal organised by fans of Southampton, backed by Norwich City supporters, has so far raised about £15,000 - outstripping the £10,000 target.

An anonymous South-ampton fan has offered to contribute a four-figure sum for another treatment - Davies' dental bills.

James Wallace, from the Give it to Ron campaign, said: "Ron, despite the discomfort from his hip, is in good spirits.

"He should be a lot better towards the end of April after his operation.

"I wouldn't say he will be leaping like a salmon, but he should be able to move around a lot more freely."