Following the shock passing of Preston North End legend George Ross over the weekend, tributes have been flooding in from the football world and beyond.
George, who was awarded a 'Life Achievement Award' by the Club in 2009, was held in highly-respected by everyone who knew him, and so it's no surprise the number of people who wanted to pay their respects.
Current and former players, journalists and many others from within the game paid their repects on social media.
PNE defender Bailey Wright was one of the first to comment on the sad passing, tweeting: "Very sad news today to hear of the passing of a true gent, great guy and a legend of PNE, RIP George Ross."
Goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly, whose father played along side George and was a close family friend, stated: “We have lost a true PNE legend with the news that George Ross passed away last night. My deepest condolences to the Ross family. RIP George."
It was evident just how much George was respected throughout his time at Deepdale, with a number of former players joining the tributes.
Kevin Kilbane said: "So sad to hear of true PNE man George Ross's passing. A great player and ambassador for the club but most all a great friend.” While Kilbane's former team-mate Graeme Atkinson posted: "Saddened to hear the passing of a true gent, friend, ambassador and a truly great player George Ross RIP."
Andy Longergan, who spent 11 years at Deepdale, continued the tributes saying: "Absolutely gutted to hear the news about my friend and PNE legend George Ross. What a fantastic person. RIP George." While fellow former North End goalkeeper David Lucas added: "Such sad news, all former players will miss him dearly."
As the news filtered further across the football world, the tributes from former players and colleagues of George continued.
Jon Macken tweeted to say: "So sad to hear the news of George Ross passing. True gentleman. RIP." And Iain Hume commented saying: "Gutted to hear about the passing of George Ross! Absolute legend and gentleman of PNE. My condolences go to his friends and family. RIP."
Former PNE legend Graham Alexander's wife, Karen, also tweeted on behalf of the family: "Our family are all really sad this morning to hear about George Ross. Such a lovely amd caring man. Thoughts with his family."
Sean St. Ledger, one of Alexander's team-mates, tweeted: "I'm so sad to hear the news of George Ross passing away. Gonna miss coming back to Preston and him not been there to talk to. RIP George."
It wasn't just former players who wanted to pay tribute to a great man, members of the media and those who knew George echoed the sentiments of those before them.
Simon Crabtree, who was a close friend of George and worked with him on a matchday at Deepdale, shared a photograph alongside the caption: "I'm struggling to put emotions into words.Thoughts with Pat and all the family. I'll miss him so much."
Dave Seddon, reporter for the Lancashire Evening Post, tweeted: "Such sad news about the passing of George Ross. A great man for PNE both on and off the pitch. Rest in peace George." While BBC Radio Lancashire commentators Phil Cunliffe and Jamie Hoyland, the latter who also previously worked at PNE with the Academy, also shared their thoughts.
Phil said: "Heartbroken to hear about dear George Ross, a lovely gentle man and someone I looked forward to seeing at PNE. So sad. End of an era." While Jamie added: "Really sad news to hear of the passing of George Ross last night. Somebody I got to know really well at PNE. A real lovely lovely man."
Kevin Gallacher joined the tributes adding: "So sad to hear that PNE have announced club legend George Ross has died, such a nice man thoughts are with the family."
While the PFA tweeted to say: "The PFA is saddened by news that PNE legend George Ross has passed away, aged 73."
George will be sorely missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. Our thoughts remain with his wife Pat and George's family and friends.
Current and former players, journalists and many others from within the game paid their repects on social media.
PNE defender Bailey Wright was one of the first to comment on the sad passing, tweeting: "Very sad news today to hear of the passing of a true gent, great guy and a legend of PNE, RIP George Ross."
Goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly, whose father played along side George and was a close family friend, stated: “We have lost a true PNE legend with the news that George Ross passed away last night. My deepest condolences to the Ross family. RIP George."
It was evident just how much George was respected throughout his time at Deepdale, with a number of former players joining the tributes.
Kevin Kilbane said: "So sad to hear of true PNE man George Ross's passing. A great player and ambassador for the club but most all a great friend.” While Kilbane's former team-mate Graeme Atkinson posted: "Saddened to hear the passing of a true gent, friend, ambassador and a truly great player George Ross RIP."
Andy Longergan, who spent 11 years at Deepdale, continued the tributes saying: "Absolutely gutted to hear the news about my friend and PNE legend George Ross. What a fantastic person. RIP George." While fellow former North End goalkeeper David Lucas added: "Such sad news, all former players will miss him dearly."
As the news filtered further across the football world, the tributes from former players and colleagues of George continued.
Jon Macken tweeted to say: "So sad to hear the news of George Ross passing. True gentleman. RIP." And Iain Hume commented saying: "Gutted to hear about the passing of George Ross! Absolute legend and gentleman of PNE. My condolences go to his friends and family. RIP."
Former PNE legend Graham Alexander's wife, Karen, also tweeted on behalf of the family: "Our family are all really sad this morning to hear about George Ross. Such a lovely amd caring man. Thoughts with his family."
Sean St. Ledger, one of Alexander's team-mates, tweeted: "I'm so sad to hear the news of George Ross passing away. Gonna miss coming back to Preston and him not been there to talk to. RIP George."
It wasn't just former players who wanted to pay tribute to a great man, members of the media and those who knew George echoed the sentiments of those before them.
Simon Crabtree, who was a close friend of George and worked with him on a matchday at Deepdale, shared a photograph alongside the caption: "I'm struggling to put emotions into words.Thoughts with Pat and all the family. I'll miss him so much."
Dave Seddon, reporter for the Lancashire Evening Post, tweeted: "Such sad news about the passing of George Ross. A great man for PNE both on and off the pitch. Rest in peace George." While BBC Radio Lancashire commentators Phil Cunliffe and Jamie Hoyland, the latter who also previously worked at PNE with the Academy, also shared their thoughts.
Phil said: "Heartbroken to hear about dear George Ross, a lovely gentle man and someone I looked forward to seeing at PNE. So sad. End of an era." While Jamie added: "Really sad news to hear of the passing of George Ross last night. Somebody I got to know really well at PNE. A real lovely lovely man."
Kevin Gallacher joined the tributes adding: "So sad to hear that PNE have announced club legend George Ross has died, such a nice man thoughts are with the family."
While the PFA tweeted to say: "The PFA is saddened by news that PNE legend George Ross has passed away, aged 73."
George will be sorely missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. Our thoughts remain with his wife Pat and George's family and friends.