The tag of legend is bestowed with a little too much reckless abandon in modern sport, but when Sir Tom Finney is the man being hailed as such, it is impossible to argue he deserves to be recognised among soccer's all-time greats.

For Preston North End fans, Sir Tom is the ultimate legend, so it was a real privilege to be granted the chance to probe the great man for his views ahead of Monday's play-off Final between his old team and West Ham United.

Still fit and healthy at the tender age of 83, his views on the modern game makes fascinating reading in a week that may see the club he loves more than any other return to the big time.

Coming from an era where the ball, boots and pitches bear little resemblance to the modern day norm, Finney accepts times have changed, but he is not among those who hankers for the 'good old days' to return.

Instead, Sir Tom sees the improvements in the modern game in a positive light and he is looking forward to Monday's play-off Final with such an attitude. 'A lot has changed from my days as a player for Preston and England, but progress should not be seen as a bad thing,' he begins.

'I'm not one who likes to criticise generally and the game is great to watch these days. What annoys me is seeing the young men at the top of the game making so many terrible mistakes in their private lives. The money they are getting is incredible, ridiculous really, but you cannot blame these lads for taking what is offered to them. If someone offered me £40,000 a week when I was playing, I'd have taken it, but it is all about how you handle the situation.'

Sex scandals and showbiz parties, all part and parcel of a modern footballer's average week, were never part of Sir Tom's lifestyle when he was at his peak in the 1950s. Capped by England on 76 occasions, scoring an impressive 30 goals to boot, he would never have done anything to besmirch the good name of the sport he loved and that is why he is held in such lofty esteem to this day.

Liverpool's remarkable Champions League glory has justifiably dominated the news and sports headlines in this country over the last couple of days, but Monday's Coca Cola Championship play-off Final between West Ham and Preston may just carry a similar financial prize to that minor little event in Istanbul on Wednesday.

The polite estimates suggest promotion to the Premiership is worth around £25m and Finney is among the biggest fans of the play-off format that sees the fifth and sixth place teams going head to head for the big prize at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. 'I think the play-offs are wonderful,' he continues.

'It keeps the season alive for so many clubs and qualifying for these games is a major achievement in itself. They always provide so much excitement and even though it seems unfair when the third place team struggles to get promotion, I see this format as good for football.

'The prize on offer is incredible, especially in the Championship division. The money available for this game would be so welcome to Preston and I'd love to see the club back into the big time.

'If you can win promotion, anything is possible. I look back on Preston's play-off Final against Bolton a few years ago and if things have been different that day, who knows where we would be now. You see the way Bolton have gone on from their promotion and they have provided a fantastic example for everyone. They are looking at European football now, which is amazing.'

Finney's memories of West Ham come from an era when the great Bobby Moore was a mere novice and he admits to having a soft spot for the side standing in the way of his own club on Monday. 'West Ham have always had a tradition of being a great footballing side,' he reflects. 'The atmosphere at Upton Park is always fantastic as well, even though its appearance has changed a hell of a lot since my days playing there.

'They have been under a lot of pressure in the Championship for the last couple of years because everyone wants to beat them and I'm sure the same will be true for as long as they are in this league.'

Turning his attention to Preston, Sir Tom insists their shock appearance in the play-offs has not been a shock to him and he admits to be being hugely impressed by the work of manager, Billy Davies.

'I'm not totally surprised by the progress the team have made in the last few months because the signs were there last season,' he believes. 'They fell away at the end last time, but this manager seems to have got a good spirit in the team and I would expect them to keep going until the end this time. He has done a great job so far.

'Whether this Preston team would be ready for the Chelseas and Manchester Uniteds of this world is hard to say. In fact, it's hard to suggest anyone in the Championship division would be ready for the Premiership. We've had a lot of strange results in this league and that's because it is such an evenly matched league. It's a different world from the Premiership, but getting into the top flight is the aim for all of us and we will worry about staying there when the time comes.

'There have been a lot of dark days at Preston in recent years. I remember us finishing bottom of the old fourth division and having to re-apply to be allowed to stay in the league. We have moved on a long way from that terrible day and if we can get into the Premiership this season, it will be wonderful for everyone associated with the club. Here's hoping.'

Sir Tom Finney may have feared he would never again see his beloved Preston North End back in the big time, but the modern day Deepdale heroes have the chance to make his dreams become a reality on Monday.