England World Cup hero George Cohen has died at the age of 83. 

Cohen, who played every minute as the Three Lions won the tournament on home soil in 1966, was capped 37 times by his country.

Confirming the news of his passing, Fulham tweeted: "Everyone at Fulham Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of our greatest ever players — and gentlemen — George Cohen MBE."

Cohen was a one-club man, playing 459 times for the Cottagers between 1956 and 1969. 

A knee injury brought his playing days to an end at the age of 29 and he later worked within the club's hospitality suites, regaling guests with stories from his career. 

Cohen's contribution was recognised by the Cottagers in October 2016 when they unveiled a statue of him at Craven Cottage.

Described by Manchester United legend George Best as "the best full-back I ever played against", Cohen was born in Fulham but actually lived closer to Chelsea's Stamford Bridge than the Cottage. 

Speaking in 2016, he joked: "It was easier to bunk into Fulham than it was to get into Chelsea. 

"There was this big tree at Craven Cottage and my friends and I used to climb up it and drop over the wall into the ground. 

"The club knew we used to sneak in that way but didn't mind — I suppose it was a way of recruiting young supporters!"

Cohen was diagnosed with bowel cancer at 36, having been left feeling exhausted after going out running near his Tunbridge Wells home.

In his autobiography, he said: "My world was turned upside down. 

"This can't be happening to me — I am George Cohen, England footballer, athlete, indestructible. I was a world champion and I was still very fit.

"One day I felt invincible and the next the doctors put me in a side room at the Royal Marsden for people who weren't going to make it and started talking about getting my affairs in order.

"[My wife] Daphne told the doctors, 'We're not getting his affairs in order, because he's not going anywhere'."

The Cohens looked towards a recovery, only for the disease to resurface 18 months later, which this time required a colonoscopy.

More health issues followed, with the former defender needing specialist chemotherapy and radiotherapy on an inoperable tumour in his back, before he was was given the all-clear in 1990. 

Paying tribute to the Three Lions legend, FA chair Debbie Hewitt said: "We are very sad to hear the news of George Cohen's death today. 

"George won 37 caps for England and was vice-captain of our World Cup winning team. 

"We would like to pass on our deep condolences to George’s family and friends at this sad time."