gates at Deepdale would be lower if Finney was not playing.

"If Tom was injured, they wouldn't tell you the team at all," Docherty said. "If he was injured, and that was rare, there would be 20,000 at the game instead of 42,000."

Finney was never booked or sent off during his career and his sportsmanship was hailed by former England captain Jimmy Armfield.

Armfield told BBC Radio 5 Live: "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."

FIFA president Sepp Blatter also paidtribute, writing on Twitter: "Very sad news that Sir Tom Finney is no longer with us. Had privilege of watching @pnefc man play at 1954 WC (World Cup)."

Finney played in three World Cups in a career which, after being delayed by the Second World War, spanned from 1946-60, and he was the first player in England to win two Footballer of the Year awards.

Bill Shankly, the great Liverpool manager and a former Preston team-mate, once said: "Tom Finney would have been great in any team, in any match and in any age... even if he had been wearing an overcoat."

Finney was nicknamed the 'Preston Plumber' during his career in reference to his first trade, to which he returned and ran a successful business after retiring from the game.