The legendary player of Vardar and the former Yugoslav league, Vasil Ringov, has passed away on Tuesday at the age of 70 after a period of illness.

photo by FK Vardar Skopje: Ringov at the 1985 UEFA Cup match against Dundee United

Ringov was born in Strumica on 17 April 1955 and hails from Kukush (Kilkis, Greece) through his maternal grandmother. He started his career at the local club Belasica, making his debut in 1971. Two years later Partizan took him and later he also played for Teteks, Vardar, Dinamo and Eintracht Braunschweig, before returning to Vardar to win the 1986/87 league title making a fantastic attacking duo with Darko Pančev. Ringov played a total of 179 matches in the Yu top flight, scoring 73 goals. He provided many assist, but unfortunately there is no record for those numbers from that time period. People say the he exactly knew where Pančev is anytime in the box to sent him a cross. As Pančev himself said many times, winger Ringov was responsible for many of his goals. He was also a gifted free kick taker.

Despite never appearing for the Yugoslav national team, Ringov is considered in the all-time Macedonian best XI.

After retiring from playing, he started to coach.

The funeral of Ringov was on Wednesday, while Vardar will hold a commemorative session in his honor on Sunday at 12:00 in the Diamond Hall of the Hilton Hotel.

One of the last public appearances of Ringov:

Rest in peace Vase Ringov!