Peterborough United great Freddie Hill (80) is out of hospital after a serious illness

The 80-year-old, who starred in the 1973-74 Fourth Division Posh side, the last team in the club’s history to win a title, has twice been hospitalised since the start of the year.

Hill was initially admitted in January with sepsis and then picked up another non-COVID19 related infection after returning to his home, close to Bolton University.

Doctors were cautious about keeping him in hospital for a second time and so, once he was able, he moved to a care home in Heaton to ensure he had round-the-clock supervision and a better chance of full recovery.

His family has been based in Lytham since the lockdown and are frequent visitors, even though isolation rules make them unable to actually share a room.

A close friend of the family told The Bolton News: “Freddie is getting great care and he has picked up 100 per cent in the last few weeks.”

Hill moved to Posh from Manchester City for £5,000 in 1973. He was 33 and towards the end of a career that had included a lengthy stay at Bolton Wanderers, but he lit up the Fourth Division with his range of passing and an ability to score from set-pieces.

Hill spent a second season at London Road before he was released, He played 89 times for Posh and scored eight goals.