“Our hearts are with Dickie Best and the family,” Mr Hain said.

“They are a very close family.

“George was one of Northern Ireland’s favourite sons. Whatever the difficulties and issues which preceded his sad death, football fans, like me, will always have been privileged in the mid-1960s to have seen him in his prime.

“As a Chelsea supporter of 40 years standing, I was lucky to have seen him play live four or five times.

“He is the only player I have ever seen who the opposing team’s fans would cheer.

“His genius on the football field, his artistry and magic were just extraordinary.

“He has also over the past week unified Northern Ireland in a way that no politician has ever done or can ever do.

“Right across the community, across faiths, across politics, across football allegiances, people on all sides are realising that this was someone very special.”

Belfast was today preparing for one of its largest security operations as admirers of Best made the pilgrimage to the city for tomorrow’s funeral.

The star will be given a send-off akin to a state funeral.

Earlier this week, Mr Hain authorised the staging of the funeral at Stormont’s Parliament Buildings.

The British government will also bear the cost of the ceremony, which is anticipated to be around £200,000 (€290,000).

Former Manchester United team-mates including Best’s close friend Denis Law will be among the mourners.

Current Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson will also travel to Belfast for the funeral, where he will join Best’s Northern Ireland international team-mates and the current boss of the North's squad, Lawrie Sanchez.

England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson will join Mr Hain tonight, staying overnight at Hillsborough Castle, and will travel with him to Stormont tomorrow for the funeral.

Around 30,000 members of the public will also pack into the grounds of the Stormont estate where they will watch the ceremony involving 300 people inside Parliament Buildings relayed on giant screens.

Admirers are also expected to line the streets of East Belfast to watch the cortege leave the Best family home on the Cregagh estate where he honed his remarkable football skills to Stormont and also to Roselawn Cemetery where he will be laid to rest alongside his mother, Ann.

Mr Hain said: “Tomorrow is obviously going to be a very difficult day for the Best family and indeed it will be difficult in the weeks afterwards.

“It is important that the family’s needs are put first.

“For people intending to come to the Stormont estate, my advice is come early because for security reasons and safety reasons we have had to have limited numbers.

“When we reach the limit in the Stormont estate, it is important that people respect that. It is important that they show dignity and respect for the occasion.

“This will be an important day for the Best family, for Northern Ireland and for the whole of the football world, regardless of nationality or which club you support.

“I will always remember those electric moments when George used to dribble the ball through the Chelsea defence, fighting off the challenges of formidable defenders like Chopper Harris.

“George Best was a remarkable player and tomorrow, while it will be a sad occasion, will also be a celebration of his life.”