Jimmy Hill, one of English football's most influential figures, has died aged 87.
As chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association, he led the campaign for the scrapping of maximum wages for professional footballers.
The former Match of the Day presenter made more than 600 appearances on the programme.
His other numerous roles in football included player, manager, chairman and analyst.
Did one man change modern football worldwide?
He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2008.
In a statement, his agent, Jane Morgan, said: "It is with great sadness that Bryony Hill and the children of Jimmy Hill have announced that Jimmy passed away peacefully aged 87 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Bryony was beside him."
Tony Hall, the BBC's director general, 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."
Some of the other ideas Hill helped make a reality included establishing a player's right to freedom of movement at the end of his contract and the introduction of three points for a win.
He also commissioned the first English all-seater stadium, lifted a ban on media interviews, introduced the first electronic scoreboard in 1964 and the first colour match-day programme.
The former Brentford and Fulham forward was appointed Coventry manager in November 1961, leading the Sky Blues to the Division Three and Division Two titles.
Hill, who has a statue of him at Coventry's Ricoh Arena, went on to enjoy spells as chairman at Coventry, Fulham and Charlton.
He became a broadcaster and head of sport for ITV in 1967, before moving to the BBC six years later where he became presenter of Match of the Day until he handed over the reins to Des Lynam in 1989.
RIP...
But I suspect there wont be many tears in Sunderland today