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Jimmy Greaves: England, Tottenham and Chelsea footballing great dies aged 81

Jimmy Greaves dead: England, Tottenham and Chelsea footballing great dies aged 81
Jimmy Greaves dead: England, Tottenham and Chelsea footballing great dies aged 81

England manager Gareth Southgate led the tributes to Jimmy Greaves who died at the age of 81 in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The world of football was united in mourning the passing of Greaves who was England’s most natural, most gifted and greatest goal-scorer and who became a working class hero for millions and who then showed his charismatic character in helping to revolutionise the broadcast coverage of the game.

As there was a minute’s applause at games involving his former clubs, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea – who played each other – and West Ham United, Southgate said that England planned their own tribute before next month’s World Cup qualifier at home to Hungary.

“Jimmy Greaves was someone who was admired by all who love football, regardless of club allegiances,” Southgate said. “I was privileged to be able to meet Jimmy’s family last year at Tottenham Hotspur as the club marked his 80th birthday. My thoughts are with them and I know the entire game will mourn his passing.

“Jimmy certainly deserves inclusion in any list of England’s best players given his status as one of our greatest goalscorers and his part in our 1966 World Cup success…. His place in our history will never be forgotten.”

Greaves had been in poor health since suffering a severe stroke in 2015 which left him paralysed down his right side and with only limited speech and the news of his passing was announced by Spurs who declared their record goalscorer was “the finest marksman this country has ever seen”. Few would argue with that statement with Spurs adding: “Football will not see his like again”.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: “Sad to hear the news about Jimmy Greaves. He will be remembered as a goalscoring legend and one of the greats of English football”. That sentiment was echoed by England captain Harry Kane, Spurs’s second highest goalscorer behind Greaves, who said he was a “true legend”.

Kane added: "It's frightening really how good a player he was. For someone like me to look at his numbers and one day go on to break those numbers would be incredible."

Greaves with Harry Kane, who paid tribute to a 'true legend' - Getty Images
Greaves with Harry Kane, who paid tribute to a 'true legend' - Getty Images

The statistics alone are, indeed, phenomenal but Greaves went far beyond that – a demi-god of a player but one with humility and a wicked sense of humour who football fans could identify with, even as they marvelled at his ability, who became a brilliant, innovative broadcaster.

In an era where many fans believe the game started with the advent of the Premier League in 1992 it has to be remembered that Greaves scored 74 more goals than Alan Shearer, who is the record goalscorer since the old First Division was rebranded, and in 43 fewer games.

Greaves was quick, elegant and deadly in front of goal with a grace to his finishing. Despite his feats he was far from a classic number nine and relied far more on finesse and guile than physical power.

Greaves in full flow during his playing career - Hulton Archive
Greaves in full flow during his playing career - Hulton Archive

His all-time record for goals across the ‘big five’ European leagues was actually only recently broken by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Even his short stint in Italy, with AC Milan, saw a return of nine goals in 14 games.

For England his strike rate was astonishing also, scoring 44 times in just 57 internationals including six hat-tricks although he never really recovered from the heartache of getting injured in the group games and losing his place to Sir Geoff Hurst who, of course, scored a hat-trick in the final.

Greaves played his final game for England in 1967 and remains the country’s fourth all-time record goal-scorer after Wayne Rooney, Sir Bobby Charlton and Gary Lineker. He was severely disappointed at missing out on a World Cup winner’s medal – although in 2009 he was awarded one retrospectively after a campaign only to later sell it at auction - and devastated by the death of his four-month old son, Jimmy Jnr, in 1961 and later struggled with alcoholism and battled with the addiction for years later admitting that he “lost the 1970s completely”. He retired prematurely, aged 31, in 1971 and later regretted doing so.

Greaves did not have a drink after 1978 and would later help many other people, notably former Spurs team-mate Cliff Jones, to face their addiction. After Greaves’s passing was announced, Jones tweeted: “Heartbroken today to hear this, rest in peace Jim, the greatest goal-scorer of all time and a true friend.”

Greaves showed courage throughout his life and became a newspaper columnist but, even more memorably, a brilliant broadcaster who broke the mould with ITV’s iconic and innovative ‘Saint and Greavsie’ show, alongside Ian St John, from 1985 to 1992.

Greaves and Ian St John -  Hulton Archive
Greaves and Ian St John - Hulton Archive

Given his achievements and his personality it was surprising that it felt Greaves was often overlooked. He only finally received a British honour – and MBE - in the last New Year’s Honours list. But he was greatly cherished by those who love football.

Greaves leaves behind wife Irene, four children Lynn, Mitzi, Danny and Andrew and 10 grandchildren and great grandchildren.

More tributes paid to Greaves from footballing world

12:43 PM

Southgate: Greaves 'will never be forgotten'

Gareth Southgate said: “Jimmy Greaves was someone who was admired by all who love football, regardless of club allegiances. “I was privileged to be able to meet Jimmy’s family last year at Tottenham Hotspur as the club marked his 80th birthday. My thoughts are with them and I know the entire game will mourn his passing.

“Jimmy certainly deserves inclusion in any list of England’s best players, given his status as one of our greatest goalscorers and his part in our 1966 World Cup success.

“We will pay tribute to his memory at our home match with Hungary at Wembley Stadium next month. His place in our history will never be forgotten.”


12:14 PM

Lineker pays tribute to 'giant' Greaves


11:20 AM

Greaves in numbers

It is often difficult to compare football across generations, but in doing so here Greaves' numbers remain astonishing.

He remains the youngest player in the history of English football to reach a century of league goals, and no player in the Premier League era has come close to matching Greaves.

Dan Zeqiri looks at the remarkable statistics from Greaves' career.


10:46 AM

Telegraph obituary

Greaves, "the deadliest predator in British football". Read it here.


10:32 AM

Tottenham vs Chelsea tributes

Two of Greaves' former clubs play each other later today. There will be a minute's applause ahead of kick-off and black armbands worn by both sets of players.


10:30 AM

From one Spurs goalscorer to another

Harry Kane pays tribute to Greaves. The two met in 2017. Kane remains 54 goals away from Greaves' Spurs record of 220 goals in 331 matches.


10:11 AM

Many wonderful pictures from Greaves' career

Greaves in action for England in 1966 - Getty Images
Former England, Tottenham and Chelsea striker, Jimmy Greaves dies aged 81 20th May 1967 - Getty Images
Greaves leaps to score against West Brom for Tottenham in December 1966 - PA

10:05 AM

Your memories of Greaves

There have been some wonderful tributes to Greaves at the bottom of this liveblog, including the below.

I was a Leeds supporter when they were on the up and had just been promoted into the then First Division.

Tottenham (conversely on the way down after their "double" exploits) came to Elland Road and Leeds won 3-1.

The Tottenham goal was scored by Jimmy Greaves. All I can say is that he "materialised" in the box, surrounded by Leeds players and as if by magic, the ball ended up in the back of the net. Sprake never saw it. Elland Road silenced - and that takes some doing.

Still ranks as the best goal I've ever seen.

Do add yours by heading here.


09:57 AM

Micky Hazard: Greaves the 'greatest Spur ever'

Former Tottenham midfielder Micky Hazard tweeted: "Today we lost our greatest Jimmy Greaves. "Words cannot explain how I feel and my thoughts and prayers go out to his wonderful family. "Heaven has gained our hero and what a Spurs team we have up there. Rest in (peace) my friend, Jimmy you are simply the greatest Spur ever."

Spurs fan David Lammy, the Labour MP for Tottenham, tweeted: "Man so sad (Jimmy Greaves) has left us. "What a superb goal scorer, character and all round footballing legend. One of a kind. Sincere condolences to his family and loved ones."

Former Tottenham midfielder Ossie Ardiles tweeted: "RIP Jimmy. Great player, great man. Very funny. Humble. "Jimmy epitomises what Spurs is: 'To dare is to do'... 'When you come to meet the great goalscorer in heaven it matters not if you win or lose but how you played the game'. "My prayers and thoughts with his family and friends."


09:53 AM

Greaves' record is the true test for the modern striker

Jeremy Wilson wrote this earlier in the year about Greaves' goalscoring record being the true marker point for greatness.

Here is where Sergio Aguero and Harry Kane fit in the table.


09:47 AM

England pay tribute to Greaves

He remains the country's fourth-highest international goalscorer, behind only Wayne Rooney, Sir Bobby Charlton and Gary Lineker.


09:33 AM

Ian Wright: 'Finish like Jimmy Greaves'


09:26 AM

Tributes pouring in for Greaves

Spurs described their former striker as “the finest marksman this country has ever seen”.

"Although we had just won the 'Double', there's no question that Jimmy's arrival in N17 made us an even better team.

"He was a natural goalscorer, always in the right place at the right time to add the finishing touch to another well-worked move, while he could also create his own goals, as he did on numerous occasions by gliding past defenders and passing the ball into the back of the net.

"He possessed immaculate ball control, great balance and such composure in front of goal that he rarely spurned an opportunity."

Greaves' former club West Ham, where he spent one season from 1970-71, tweeted: "We are saddened to learn the news of the passing of Jimmy Greaves.

"The club sends its deepest condolences to Jimmy's family and friends."