LEGEND BEFORE WICKET

Tributes to much-loved umpire

- by ANDREW JAMESON

CRICKET icon Dickie Bird has been hailed the "most popular" umpire in the game's history following his death at the age of 92.

Dickie died peacefully at home in Barnsley - the town of his birth - which is also home to a statue of him giving the dreaded "you're out" finger signal.

After injury cut short his playing career for Yorkshire and then Leicestershire, Dickie began his remarkable second career as an official, winning legions of fans worldwide.