'A heart bigger than the gap in his teeth': Gary Lineker and Sir Geoff Hurst lead touching tributes to Nobby Stiles after legendary former England and Manchester United midfielder dies aged 78

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Touching tributes have flooded in from across the sporting world after Nobby Stiles, a World Cup winner with England in 1966, died aged 78.

Stiles passed away on Friday after a long illness - and a statement revealed the Manchester United icon had been surrounded by his family.

The legendary midfielder was also part of the Manchester United team which lifted the European Cup in 1968 at Wembley, making them the first English club to win the competition. 

Legendary former England and Manchester United midfielder Nobby Stiles has died aged 78 

Sir Geoff Hurst, who scored a hat-trick in the legacy-defining victory over West Germany, played alongside Stiles often on the international stage.

Famed West Ham talisman Hurst, now one of just four of the 1966 heroes still alive, has paid tribute to a 'great character'. 

He wrote: 'Hugely sad to hear Nobby has passed away. We were playing together way back for the U17s, U23s, and of course, for England, in fact, it was my first cap when Nobby scored, I think he was wearing No. 9! 

Sir Geoff Hurst and Gary Lineker are among those to have paid touching tributes to Stiles (L)

'Great character, and the heart and soul of the team, he will be sorely missed.' 

Gary Lineker is also among those to have penned an emotional social media message to remember Stiles' legacy. 

The former Three Lions striker wrote: 'Saddened to hear that Nobby Stiles has passed away. Another of our 1966 World Cup winning heroes leaves us. He had a heart that was even bigger than the gap in his teeth. RIP Nobby.'

United, who Stiles memorably represented for 11 years, hailed him as a 'titan of the club's history.

'We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Nobby Stiles MBE,' the club statement said. 

'An integral part of our first-ever European Cup-winning side, Nobby was a titan of the club’s history, cherished for his heart and personality on and off the pitch. He will be sorely missed by us all.' 

England also shared their condolences online. Their post read: 'We're incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of Nobby Stiles, a key member of our @FIFAWorldCup-winning squad, at the age of 78.

The iconic Three Lions star (R) passed away on Friday after years of battling with Alzheimer's

'All of our thoughts are with Nobby's loved ones.'

Gary Neville, another iconic former United player, says that Stiles showed him how to represent the club on the field.  

'Rest in Peace Nobby,' he said. 'Thank you for all you did for us. You taught us how to fight for everything in that red shirt.

'Your studs are your best friends out there.'

His former Red Devils team-mate Wayne Rooney, who also captained the Three Lions, also offered his condolences. 

'Sad news. Thoughts with all the family and friends of legend Nobby Stiles.'

Sportsmail columnist Chris Sutton has paid tribute too, and urged the football authorities to do more to deal with Dementia and Alzheimer's. 

'Such sad news about Nobby Stiles,' he wrote. 'A World Cup winner and one of the games great characters lost to Alzheimer's.

'Thoughts go out to the Stiles family. Eventually football will wake up show some real urgency in the fight against Dementia and Alzheimer's.' 

Mark Lawrenson, the former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland defender, also paid his respects and praised the man who had helped him break into Preston's first-team set-up in 1974. 

He said: 'Terrible news re Nobby Stiles. He more than anyone made me into a layer at PNE,' he said.

'Absolute gentleman as well... Love to the family... Very sad day...'

Peter Schmeichel, the ex-United goalkeeper, wrote: 'Really sad news that @ManUtd legend Nobby Styles has passed away. A great hero and an inspiration for all United fans.'

And Robbie Savage also posted a message of condolence, saying: 'As a 16-year-old boy at Manchester United, it was a privilege to be coached by a legend of the game and a true gentleman.

Speaking after Crystal Palace's 2-0 defeat at Wolves, Eagles boss Roy Hodgson called him 'a hero' and praised him for 'putting the heart and soul in every game'.  

'I remember him really as the hero he was. Especially in the World Cup final itself. I think the image of him with his socks rolled down, having given everything to the team and putting in the heart and soul, which in did in every game he played. 

'Every who loves football will love Nobby and we will still remember his contributions to winning the World Cup.

'All of the players (from that team) who are heroes of mine are no longer here and I hope those who are still here have a long and healthy life. I also send my condolences to Nobby's friends and family.' 

Stiles was awarded 28 England caps, the lowest amount for any of the World Cup-winning heroes.

World Cup winner Stiles passed away after an illness on Friday and was surrounded by family 

He forever ensured a spot in the national team's history, however, after the win over Benfica. 

Stiles was notably pictured holding the Jules Rimet trophy in one hand and a set of his false teeth in the other. 

More success came after United's league titles in 1965 and 1967, before Stiles left the club in 1971.

Spells with Middlesbrough and Preston followed, and Stiles even went on to manage the Lilywhites between 1977 and 1981. His future coaching career spanned tenures with Vancouver Whitecaps in Canada and West Brom between 1985 and 1986. 

Stiles later returned to Old Trafford in a youth coaching capacity under Sir Alex Ferguson in 1989. 

He leaves behind his wife Kay and their three children.