Mick McCarthy has paid tribute to former Wolverhampton Wanderers owner Sir Jack Hayward, who died on Tuesday aged 91.

Former Wolves manager McCarthy called Hayward's contribution to the club "amazing", as part of an outpouring of tributes to the man who owned his boyhood club for 17 years.

"He wasn't around that much by the time I arrived at the club but my over-riding memory is of meeting him and Jez Moxey in London when I went to have my interview for the job," McCarthy told the Express & Star. "I remember thinking he was a really good guy and I sat and chatted with him for a couple of hours.

"That was really the longest time I spent with him, but he also used to stop and chat when he came to games and he was always the perfect gentleman. I am well aware of the contribution he made to the history of the club – it was amazing."

Wolves were unable to give Hayward a fitting send off on Tuesday night on the pitch, after losing their FA Cup third-round replay to Fulham at home, 5-3 on penalties.