Lyall, twice an FA Cup winner during his 15 year spell as West Ham manager, was born in Ilford and joined West Ham, his local club, as a junior. He signed as a professional at 17 and made 31 League appearances for the Hammers spread over several seasons at left full-back. He was capped for England at youth level but injury curtailed his playing career.

He was on West Ham's coaching staff before taking over from Ron Greenwood, who also passed away recently, as team manager in 1974. He won The FA Cup a year later (2-0 against Fulham) and repeated the triumph in 1980 when Sir Trevor's header accounted for Arsenal.

The Hammers remain the last side from outside the top flight to lift The Cup.

Under Lyall - who was manager until 1989 - they also reached the European Cup Winners' Cup Final (1976) and the Football League Cup Final (1981). They were Division Two Champions in 1981.

"It's devastating news, so soon after Ron Greenwood," said Sir Trevor.

"They were my only two managers in 19 years at West Ham, which is amazing really. Anything that any of us managed to do in football at that time would have been through Ron and John.

"John was very much a disciple of Ron's. He had to pack up as a player early and was working in the wages department when I went there before taking over the youth team.

"He then took charge of the first team during the 1974-75 season when Ron stepped down, taking us to The Cup Final that year, then the Cup Winners' Cup Final the year after. But perhaps 1980 was most memorable beating Arsenal at Wembley.

"He was hugely respected; he was a great motivator and the players all looked up to him. He was a good coach and always made it enjoyable. Anyone during that era at West Ham were very lucky to have had him as their manager.

"We had some very good years under John and the club's whole philosophy, even now, comes from Ron and John's time in charge.

"Because he started with the youth team he never lost interest in the youngsters, there was a regular stream that came through the system and everything that's happened there with the academy comes from the way John and Ron would encourage player development. They were both innovative coaches.

"I saw John a few weeks ago at a get together with all the West Ham players from the '75 and '80 Cup Finals, so it was nice that a lot of the players who had an affinity with John saw him quite recently. It's a very sad day."

West Ham take on Middlesbrough in The FA Cup Semi-Final at Villa Park on Sunday and The FA has confirmed that a minutes' silence will be observed before the match and black armbands will be worn by the players in memory of John.