Supporters of Jimmy Greaves are close to reaching a £30,000 target to fund physiotherapy for the former England striker who suffered a severe stroke in May.
Greaves, 75, left hospital in June, and the money is required to pay for 500 hours of physiotherapy.
Tottenham, one of his former clubs, have paid for part of Greaves' treatment, and the Football Association has also made a contribution, understood to be a four-figure sum.
An internet campaign set up by the former footballer's agent Terry Baker has also seen members of the public contribute donations, and by 9am on Sunday morning the total raised on the Crowdgiving website had reached £27,654, a figure that was rapidly rising.
Former England team-mate George Cohen questioned why the football world had not already rallied behind Greaves, who scored 44 goals in 57 England appearances and also played for Chelsea and West Ham.
Cohen told the Sunday People: "It really is sheer madness that this money hasn't already been raised for Jimmy by people within the game. For one of the greatest players I've ever met to be left in this situation is very sad.
"Jimmy gave a lot to the game and he deserves to be helped now.
"In football terms, £30,000 is not a great deal of money. You'd have thought it could be raised easily. It's an average wage for most footballers in the Premier League now - some of these guys are getting more than £100,000 a week.
"Someone in football could easily give Jimmy the full £30,000 in one go. I'd do it Âimmediately if I had the money."
Source: PA
