When a picture of Ray Wilkins flashed up on the giant screens at Stamford Bridge ahead of the Chelsea v Spurs clash on Easter Sunday, a spontaneous and prolonged wave of applause went round the ground.

It’s a measure of the affection everyone at Chelsea has for the former club captain, now fighting for his life after a heart attack and fall left him seriously ill in hospital.

Butch Wilkins has remained a passionate Blues fan, always sitting in his flat cap in the row of seats immediately in front of the press box in the East Stand, and cheerfully posing for selfies with fans, or scribbling autographs.

The promotion-winning captain in the late 70s, making nearly 200 appearances in a blue shirt, he had two spells as assistant coach and helped Chelsea win the Premier League and FA Cup double.

He’s currently in St George’s Hospital, Tooting, where the 61-year-old – who had double heart by-pass surgery last summer – is said to be critical and in a medically induced coma, with his family at his bedside.

Blues manager Tony Conte said: “We are very close to Ray and his family. Ray is a legend in the history of this club and, for sure, our prayers are with him.”