Rio Ferdinand has paid a touching tribute to the late England and Manchester United legend Nobby Stiles after his death aged 78.
The iconic former midfielder passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Friday after a long illness and the tragic news was met with an outpouring of respect and emotion from across the sporting world.
Speaking on BT Sport, Ferdinand has recalled fond memories from his encounters with Stiles across the years and hailed him as a 'lovely person'.
He said: 'He was someone who you saw at times around the ground.