Having joined the Reds as an amateur in the summer of 1937, he featured for England schoolboys and actually made his debut against Rotherham United at Millmoor in a wartime fixture in December 1941.
Five days later, Lacey bagged his first Barnsley goal against the Millers at Oakwell on Christmas Day in a 7-1 thrashing of United.
His early performances saw him rewarded with a professional contract, which he signed on January 1st 1942.
He leaves behind a loving family, who said he 'lived and breathed Barnsley FC'.
Everyone at Oakwell would like to pass on our sincerest condolences to Eric's family and friends at this time.
