Current Hammers boss Alan Pardew said, “On behalf of all my staff and players, I first of all wish to pass on my sincere condolences to John's wife Yvonne, his son Murray, his grandchildren and the rest of his family.
”It is another very sad day for West Ham United after the loss of Ron Greenwood just two months ago and, like Ron, John did so much to build the footballing beliefs and values that this Club is built on.
”To win the FA Cup twice and lead the Club to it's highest-ever league finish tells you just how much of an impact John Lyall made on the history of West Ham United, and his contribution will never be forgotten.
”I am sure that our supporters will pay tribute to John's memory in a fitting manner at our FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park on Sunday and we as a team will do the same.”
Sir Trevor Brooking expressed his shock at the news and paid tribute to his former manager and close friend – “It is a massive shock and so very sad. We lost Ron Greenwood only two months ago, but Ron hadn't been well for sometime and was in his mid-80s - John was only 66 and had shown no obvious signs of ill health. It is devastating news and still very hard to take in.
“He was such a genuine, warm individual, and of the very few people in the game who I would say I trusted with anything. He really was a wonderful man, as good a person as you could wish to meet.
”From a football point of view, I played for only two managers in my 19 years at West Ham, and they were both outstanding. John was right there alongside Ron as a disciple of his footballing mantle, and he simply continued the work that Ron had started.
”You won't find a single person who had a bad word to say about John, and there will be many people in the game who are extremely upset by the news. It is a very sad day.”
Young Hammers star Anton Ferdinand promised that the side will do everything in their power to mark John's passing by booking a place in the FA Cup final by beating Middlesbrough on Sunday. He said, “It will obviously be an emotional day for the supporters, and the lads in the team who don't know about John Lyall will certainly get an insight into what he meant to the Club.
”He was probably the greatest manager in West Ham United's history, and it would be fitting if we could win the FA Cup in his memory. I know the fans will be desperate for us to do that, and we will be giving it our very best on Sunday.”
Reserve Team coach Kevin Keen has also added his own tribute to the man he feels he owes his career too. “It was sad and tragic news, and such a shock. “I can't speak highly enough of John Lyall and the influence he had, not only on me, but on so many other players who progressed through the youth ranks at Upton Park.
”I remember the day I signed schoolboy forms for West Ham United, way back in 1983. John came to my house with Eddie Baily in his gleaming Jag, and I was just getting home from school when he turned up. I had been chased by a few clubs at the time, but it was that personal touch that made me decide to choose West Ham. John went out of his way to make you feel wanted and, for a 14-year-old, that was just something else.
”The way he handled young players was simply magnificent. He would always have time to stop and talk to you about your game, what you were doing well, what you needed to improve on, and his knowledge of the game was fantastic.
”He gave me my league debut in 1986 and, without doubt, was the greatest influence on my playing career. He would always be testing and challenging me – ‘are you gonna get 10 goals this year Kev?' or ‘are you gonna get on them weights and build yourself up?' and I pushed myself because I wanted to please him.
”He had a knack of getting across his point in a way that made it easy for you to understand, and it's no coincidence that so many of his players went on to become coaches. We were all taught to think about the game, and I can say without doubt that he was the greatest influence on my career.
”It's a very sad occasion for West Ham United, and for football in general. John was a great, great man and will be sorely missed.”
The FA have also this morning confirmed that a minutes' silence in memory of John Lyall will be observed before the FA Cup semi-final against Middlesbrough at Villa Park on Sunday.
The club have also confirmend that the players will wear black armbands to pay their respects.
Many glowing tributes to John have also been left by members of Hammers Mad.
You can read these by clicking here.