His Chelsea was a team famed for its flamboyance, flair and fondness for King's Road fashions but when tributes flowed for John Hollins, who died yesterday at the age of 76, they were all about understated quality, reliability and dedication.
Hollins was a popular and modest legend at Stamford Bridge, where he burst on to the scene at 17, was virtually ever-present through one of their great eras and returned to end his playing career with the Blues, making 592 appearances for them — only four men have made more — and scoring 64 goals.
As manager, he led Chelsea out at Wembley and became a familiar match-day presence in the club's hospitality lounges, recounting stories from days when Hollywood stars such as Steve McQueen and Raquel Welch would drop into the dressing room.