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Graham Westley: 'Sir Tom Finney was a complete icon'

Graham Westley, who was in charge of Preston North End last season, pays his respects to former Lillywhites legend Sir Tom Finney.

Former Preston North End manager Graham Westley has paid tribute to club legend Sir Tom Finney.

A service was held earlier today at Preston Minster where Finney, who passed away earlier this month at the age of 91, was laid to rest.

"It's true to say that he was a complete icon in the area and a legend in the true sense of the word," Westley, who was in charge of North End for one season in 2012-13, is quoted as saying by The Advertiser. "It's a very sad day for English football when a man of such legendary status passes away.

"I was manager on the occasion of his 90th birthday, and although he wasn't at the game, there was a game to mark that event, and, you could feel the passion the whole of the city felt for what was a true icon of the game and a true legend.

"He was not just a man who was regarded in that city but a man who was regarded beyond that city and throughout the national game. It's a very sad day for English football that he has passed away."

Finney was capped 76 times for England.

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Preston North End's forward Tom Finney smiles as he holds his trophy in London after being elected the Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers Association on 29 April, 1954
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