Just as the signing of Jackie Robinson turned many Negro League fans into Brooklyn Dodgers fans in the 1940s, Japanese fans in 1995 so took to the Los Angeles Dodgers after the team signed pitching icon Hideo Nomo that the club started its own Japanese TV network.

FORBES

Giggs, AC Milan idol Paolo Maldini and Real Madrid icon Raul are the greatest one-club men of their generation.

BBC: Spot-on Giggs overtakes Charlton

Newcastle United's managing director, Derek Llambias, described Sir Bobby as a "Geordie icon", who helped change the history of the club.

BBC: Sir Bobby Robson statue

Even Calcutta, a city known for its unflagging loyalty to local star and former Indian captain, Saurav Ganguly, appeared to have forgotten him at the weekend game - there were posters of Khan in the stands, and the star's local fan club walked in carrying huge cut outs of their icon.

BBC: But is it really cricket?