Tributes flood in for Sir Tom Finney

Finney, nicknamed the 'Preston Plumber' after his first trade, spent his whole career with his hometown club.

He scored 210 goals in 473 appearances while his record for England was equally eye-catching, netting 30 times in 76 appearances.

Finney was renowned as one of the game's great wingers during a career that spanned from 1946 to 1960 and was a close friend of Wolves legends Billy Wright and Bert Williams, who died recently.

Ex-England skipper Jimmy Armfield lead the tributes to one of the game's true greats. He said: "He, in my opinion, is one of the really great footballers that this country has produced.

"As much as anything else, and it's hard to explain to many people today, but it was the way he played and the way he carried himself - his whole demeanour of life. Really, Preston will be a very sad place."

Finney was the subject of interest from Italian side Palermo in 1952. They offered sums unthinkable for English players for the then 30-year-old, but he declined.

"Even going back to his early days, the Italians tried to snatch him away from England – but he wouldn't leave Preston. He was a loyalist as well," added Armfield.

Ex-England striker Gary Lineker, the country's second-highest goalscorer with 48, joined the tributes, tweeting:

Preston issued a statement following the sad news and were expected to hold a minute's silence ahead of the League One meeting with Leyton Orient at Deepdale this afternoon.

"Preston North End have been informed of the extremely sad news of the passing of Sir Tom Finney," the statement read.

"Sir Tom was the greatest player to ever play for Preston North End and one of the all-time greats for England.

"The thoughts of everyone at the club are with his family at this time."

Former Ireland international and Albion man Kevin Kilbane, who began his career at Preston, said:

Football League Chairman Greg Clarke added to the tributes, saying: "The Football League is deeply saddened to learn of Sir Tom's death and I offer my condolences, on behalf of all our clubs, to his family and friends, including all those at Preston North End.

"He was quite possibly the finest player to have ever played in The Football League."