Former Blackpool player Jimmy Armfield has paid tribute to Sir Tom Finney, who died yesterday at the age of 91.

Finney, who scored 210 goals in a 14-year stint at North-West rivals Preston North End, was seen by many as one of England's finest ever players.

"He, in my opinion, is one of the really great footballers that this country has produced," Armfield is quoted as saying by the Lancashire Evening Post.

"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.

"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."

Nicknamed the 'Preston Plumber', Finney featured in three World Cups and was the first player to win the Footballer of the Year award twice.