Perhaps one of Bonetti’s greatest performances was reserved for the biggest of stages. In the FA Cup final of 1969/70, ‘the Cat’ was bright, brave and brilliant across two hours of high-octane, high-stakes football.

He made some truly spectacular saves in the first game at Wembley and was our standout player as Dave Sexton’s side twice came from behind to force a replay. Up at Old Trafford a fortnight later, with a record TV audience of over 28 million watching at home, Bonetti’s efforts were superhuman as he battled through an early injury to defy Leeds United as our last line of defence.

Although it was feline agility and reflexes that earned him his nickname, it was the heart of a lion in Manchester that saw him soldier on through another period of extra-time, during which David Webb bundled in that famous winner to ensure the Blues were FA Cup victors for the very first time in our history.

'I think he is one of the all-time great goalkeepers.' Read Cech and Harris tributes to Bonetti