A Manchester lad through and through, he personified the spirit and determination of his native city, but he will be mourned across the footballing community far beyond the streets where he was born and brought up.
The sight of an ecstatic – and toothless – Nobby Stiles dancing on the Wembley turf after the World Cup victory of 1966 is one of English football’s most iconic images, but the Collyhurst lad was arguably even more of a hero in the red of United than he was the red of England.
The local boy made good was the pulsing heartbeat of Sir Matt Busby’s side for over a decade, playing nearly 400 games, winning the league title twice and capping it off with the crowning glory – of his club career at least – the 1968 European Cup.