Steve Sedgley pays tribute to a real Tottenham Legend and one that personified everything you should expect from a Professional footballer.

There is no question that the word Legend is the best way to describe Gary Mabbutt. The constant professional, Mr 100% and personified everything that you could argue that is missing in a modern day footballer.

I had the great pleasure of playing alongside the man and we formed a great partnership that led us through to FA Cup glory back in 1991. Mabbsy was our leader, inspiration and I don't think anyone was more delighted to see him lift the cup that year. The sheer emotion on his face, delight and finally he had been given his moment which was just reward for his services to our great football club.

Gary was the model pro who simply gave everything on the field. Playing top flight football at that level is hard enough but maintaining while suffering from diabetes is quite another. I remember watching him having to inject himself before games, it seem quite an ordeal and Mabbsy can tell you a great anecdote about Gazza's first experience of seeing this pre-match routine, with Paul thinking he was some sort of druggie.

Mabbsy was an absolute gentleman in every sense of the word. We all remember the horrific injury he received following the clash with John Fashanu. I was next to him and you could see it was bad. He lay motionless on the pitch, which was a sure sign as Gary never feigned injuries. It was so typical of the man that he didn't condemn anyone and just got on with his football. He made his comeback against Chelsea with a face mask and I remember just looking on amazed as he threw himself at challenges and headers and showing absolutely no fear. He loved his football and more importantly he loved this football club.

Gary showed tremendous loyalty to the club, even towards the backwaters of his career. He turned down the advances of Dalglish to take him to Liverpool on more than one occasion and that is a great testament of the man's love of Spurs. As a centre half I learnt so much from him in every aspect and I always wished that I could leap as high as him. He had a wonderful career and was quite rightly given International recognition his abilities deserve. He has his fair share of heartaches throughout his career but he always managed to bounce back - the mark of a great player.

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