Former Saints full-back and assistant manager Stuart Williams has died at the age 83.

The Welshman played 165 games in red and white between 1962 and 1966 and was capped 33 times by his country before he was Ted Bates’ assistant in the early 1970s.

The highlight of his long career saw him play in the 1958 World Cup for Wales, where his side reached the quarter finals against Pele’s Brazil in Sweden.

Stuart started his career at Wrexham then moved to West Bromwich Albion in 1950, where he spent 12 years before Bates spent £15,000 to bring him to The Dell in 1962.

In 1965/66, in his final year at Saints, he was instrumental in helping the club gain promotion to the first division, making 35 appearances as Bates’ side finished runner up.

He retired at the end of that season but returned to the club in 1971 to take the assistant manager’s role, replacing John Mortimore.

After two years he left The Dell and headed for Norway where he coached Stavanger before returning to the UK as a scout for Carlisle United.

Stuart returned to Southampton and worked as a rep’ at two tyre companies then later as financial controller at a transport business.

Most recently he was an active member of the ex-Saints, organising a buffet at Atherley Bowling Club earlier this year, where he also played and was once president.

However, following the amputation of his right leg in 2011 he was unable to continue playing bowls.