MOTHERWELL and their supporters have joined in grief at the death of Fir Park icon Joe Wark, who has passed away aged 67.

Fondly thought of as one of the Lanarkshire club’s greatest ever players, the side the former defender played over 500 games for announced yesterday that one of their finest sons had lost his long battle with illness.

After making his debut in claret and amber in a friendly against Tranmere Rovers back in 1968, launching a 16-year love affair with the Well.

Bizarrely, the full-back spent 87 minutes of his debut in goals after goalkeeper Keith McCrae was injured. Not only did he acquit himself well, he kept a clean sheet.

Wark went on to make 469 league appearances for Motherwell, a post-war record that is never likely to be beaten. Staggeringly, a Scotland cap would prove elusive for one of the true greats of the national game.

Motherwell – who will wear black armbands in their match against Dundee at Dens Park tomorrow - said in a statement: “Motherwell FC is today devastated to learn of the passing of one of its greatest sons, Joe Wark, after a long battle with illness.

“Everyone at the Club would like to express our deepest condolences to Joe’s wife Maureen, his sons Steven and Kenneth, along with his close family and friends at this difficult time.”

Fans took to social media to talk about the player who famously was the subject of the chant ‘Joe Wark knew my father’ among the Motherwell support.

Ian Mulvey Tweeted: “Such sad news about Joe Wark – he was an absolute legend in a great ‘Well team when my dad took me to games. Thoughts with his family.”

Jason Henderson added: “The term ‘legend’ is banded about all over the place but today mark the passing of a true Well legend. RIP.”