Aston Villa legend Gary Shaw died from severe head injuries in a fall, an inquest has heard.
The 63-year-old had been out drinking with friends on September 5 and was found collapsed on the pavement outside his home by a neighbor at 01:20 BST on September 6, the court heard.
The former striker was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on September 16.
Senior Coroner Louise Hunt returned a verdict of accidental death at Birmingham and Solihull Coroner’s Court.
Shaw came through the youth ranks at his boyhood club and scored 79 goals in 213 games for Villa.
He was named Professional Footballers’ Association Young Player of the Year in 1981 and European Young Player of the Year in 1982.
The former England Under-21 striker also played for Blackpool, Walsall, Kilmarnock and Shrewsbury Town.
He worked as a statistical analyst after his retirement from football in 1992 and was a club ambassador at Villa Park.
Crowds gathered at the stadium in October to pay their respects as his cremation made its way to Sutton Coldfield Crematorium, where the service was held.