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The former Match of the Day host had been battling Alzheimer’s disease since 2008.

His family have today confirmed his death.

In a statement, Jane Morgan, spokeswoman for Hill's wife Bryony, said: "It is with great sadness that Bryony Hill and the children of Jimmy Hill have announced that Jimmy passed away peacefully today aged 87 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Bryony was beside him."

Hill will be cremated at a private ceremony.

A service for his friends and colleagues will be held in the new year, Ms Morgan said.

(Image: GETTY)

Figures from the world of football have paid tribute to Jimmy.

Former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore called him the "face of football for a generation".

Goalie Shay Given tweeted that Hill "brought so much to the world of football."

Hill, who played for Brentford and Fulham before going in to club management with Coventry City, is credited with changing the face of football.

He was made chairman of the Professional Footballers’ Association in 1957 and helped scrap the maximum wage for players.

He also introduced the 3 points for a win system.

(Image: GETTY)

Born in Balham in 1928, he married three times and was living in a care home near the south coast.

He became an iconic figure on television with his famous long chin and knowledge of the game.

Hill started his playing career with Brentford in 1949 before making his name at Fulham in 1952.

(Image: DS)

(Image: GETTY)

He turned the Sky Blues into a top flight club during a six-year stint from 1961.

He moved into broadcasting in 1967 and becae head of sport at London Weekend Televison, now ITV, from 1968.

(Image: PA) (Image: GETTY)

Hill took over from David Coleman as the presenter of BBC's Match of the Day in 1973 and enjoyed a long career with the popular footie show until 1999 when he moved to Sky Sports.

Tony Hall, director general of the BBC, said: "For generations of fans Jimmy Hill was an authoritative voice as both a presenter and analyst."He was committed to innovation in every aspect of the game, including broadcasting, and always believed supporters came first.

"His influence lives on in the programmes we enjoy today."

Tributes have continued to flood in on Twitter after news of his death filtered through.

Former England international Ray Clemence said: "So sad to hear Jimmy Hill has passed away. A gentleman and pioneer of so much in football."

Current Match of the Day pundit and former Manchester United great Peter Schmeichel wrote on Twitter: "Jimmy Hill, one-off the most important people in football history on so many levels, we owe you! #RIPJimmyHill."