LEGENDARY pundit and footballer Jimmy Greaves has passed away aged 81, it has been confirmed.
Greavesy, who was Tottenham Hotspur's record goalscorer, died at home on Sunday morning, the club confirmed.
In a statement, Spurs said:“We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of the great Jimmy Greaves, not just Tottenham’s record goalscorer but the finest marksman this country has ever seen. Jimmy passed away at home in the early hours of this morning, aged 81.
“Throughout his wonderful playing career, Jimmy’s strike rate was phenomenal.
"His Spurs return was 266 goals in 379 appearances between 1961 and 1970 – 220 goals in 321 league games, 32 goals in 36 FA Cup ties, five in just eight League Cup ties and nine in 14 European matches.”
It comes after Greaves suffered a stroke in May 2015 which had left him wheelchair-bound and with severely impaired speech.
Read our Jimmy Greaves live blog below for the latest updates…
- Kostas Lianos
BECKHAM REACTS
Manchester United great David Beckham paid tribute to fellow legend Jimmy Greaves.
Beckham described Greaves as one of the players he loved watching in action when he was young.
The former England international also stated he was one of his grandfather’s favourites.
Beckham shared the following story on his Instagram:
- Kostas Lianos
WEMBLEY PLANS
England manager Gareth Southgate announced that England will pay tribute to the legendary Jimmy Greaves before their match with Hungary at Wembley Stadium next month.
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"
- Kostas Lianos
MAN UTD TRIBUTE
Manchester United paid tribute to football legend Jimmy Greaves.
United shared Tottenham’s touching statement about their club hero’s passing at age 81.
The Red Devils shared their condolences and described the former England international as an "all-time great of English football".
More below:
- Kostas Lianos
UEFA STATEMENT
UEFA shared a touching message following news of Jimmy Greaves' death.
The football governing body paid special respects by looking back at how Greaves helped Tottenham become the first English club to win a UEFA trophy in 1963.
More below:
- Kostas Lianos
TRUE LEGEND
Tottenham superstar Harry Kane expressed his respect and admiration for fellow great Jimmy Greaves.
Kane shared a picture of a meeting they had not too long ago and described him as a "true legend".
The England captain also said his thoughts are with his family and friends
- Kostas Lianos
SHEARER TRIBUTE
Newcastle great Alan Shearer paid tribute to fellow goalscoring legend Jimmy Greaves.
Greaves is remembered as one of the greatest strikers in the history of English football
- Kostas Lianos
FERDINAND REACTS
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand shared his condelences to Jimmy Greaves' family.
Ferdinand tweeted: "Big loss to the footballing world.. sending my condolences to the Greaves family.
"First autobiography I ever read! Inspiration"
- Kostas Lianos
WRIGHT TRIBUTE
Arsenal legend Ian Wright took to social media after learning of Jimmy Greaves' passing.
Wright described how he was urged to copy Greaves when he was a youngster and started his career.
The former striker tweeted: "The first footballers name I ever heard from my teacher. 'No Ian! Finish like Jimmy Greaves'.
"May he rest in peace"
- Kostas Lianos
WEST HAM STATEMENT
West Ham have paid tribute to club legend Jimmy Greaves.
Greaves spent a year at the Hammers following a move from Tottenham in 1970.
The west-Londoners issued the following statement:
- Kostas Lianos
ENGLAND ISSUE STATEMENT
England have released the following statement following news of legendary footballer Jimmy Greaves' death:
"We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jimmy Greaves at the age of 81.
"Jimmy was part of our World Cup-winning squad and scored a remarkable 44 goals in 57 games for the Three Lions.
"All of our thoughts are with his family, friends and former clubs"
- Kostas Lianos
NEVILLE TRIBUTE
Manchester United legend Gary Neville paid tribute to Jimmy Greaves.
Neville shared a picture of Greaves and Ian St John to honour both of their memory.
The defender issued the following tweet after news broke of his death:
- Joseph Gamp
TOTTENHAM RELEASE STATEMENT ON JIMMY GREAVES' PASSING
The Premier League club said in a statement: "We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of the great Jimmy Greaves, not just Tottenham's record goalscorer but the finest marksman this country has ever seen.
"Jimmy passed away at home in the early hours of this morning, aged 81.
"Throughout his wonderful playing career, Jimmy's strike rate was phenomenal.
"His Spurs return was 266 goals in 379 appearances between 1961 and 1970 – 220 goals in 321 league games, 32 goals in 36 FA Cup ties, five in just eight League Cup ties and nine in 14 European matches."
- Joseph Gamp
TOTTENHAM RELEASE STATEMENT ON JIMMY GREAVES' PASSING
The Premier League club said in a statement: "We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of the great Jimmy Greaves, not just Tottenham's record goalscorer but the finest marksman this country has ever seen.
"Jimmy passed away at home in the early hours of this morning, aged 81.
"Throughout his wonderful playing career, Jimmy's strike rate was phenomenal.
"His Spurs return was 266 goals in 379 appearances between 1961 and 1970 – 220 goals in 321 league games, 32 goals in 36 FA Cup ties, five in just eight League Cup ties and nine in 14 European matches."
- Joseph Gamp
JIMMY GREAVES WAS A PART OF THE 1966 WORLD CUP TEAM – BUT DIDN'T PLAY IN THE FINAL
A member of England's 1966 World Cup-winning squad, although he did not feature in the final victory over West Germany, Greaves scored 44 goals across 57 senior appearances for the Three Lions.
His career began in the junior ranks at Chelsea and he turned professional in May 1957, scoring on his Blues debut and racking up 132 goals in total for the club.
He remained at Stamford Bridge until 1961, when he moved to AC Milan. After a single season in Milan he joined Spurs in 1961 to play in Bill Nicholson's successful side.
- Kostas Lianos
BREAKING NEWS
Tottenham’s record goalscorer Jimmy Greaves has died aged 81.
Greaves was one of the greatest English strikers of all time with marvellous stints at Chelsea, AC Milan and Spurs.
The former West Ham star also stood out for the England national team.
Tottenham issued the following statement:
- Joseph Gamp
WEST HAM PAYS CONDOLENCES TO JIMMY GREAVES' FAMILY
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."
- Joseph Gamp
JIMMY GREAVES DIES AGED 81
Former England striker Jimmy Greaves has died at the age of 81, Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur said on Sunday.
Greaves, who suffered a stroke six years ago, started his career with Chelsea and scored a then club record 124 league goals for the London club between 1957 and 1961.
He played for Tottenham from 1961-70, netting 266 goals in 379 appearances — a record that still stands.
Greaves was part of England's 1966 World Cup-winning squad and scored 44 goals in 57 internationals
- Joseph Gamp
SIR GEOFF HURST PAYS TRIBUTE TO JIMMY GREAVES
Sir Geoff Hurst, who replaced Greaves in the 1966 team and scored a hat-trick in the final triumph over West Germany, says Greaves was simply the greatest English forward there has ever been.
"There have been some great players but forwards are judged on goals, and there's nobody who could touch him," Hurst told the PA news agency in February 2020.
"I am asked is there any animosity between Jimmy and I, because I took his place? But not for one second.
"You hear the term genius, and it is the one word which applies to Jimmy."
- Joseph Gamp
JIMMY GREAVES: ENGLAND'S GOALSCORING 'GENIUS' WHO MISSED THEIR GREATEST TRIUMPH
To many he will be remembered as the bewildered, besuited figure on the Wembley touchline as all around him erupted with joy in the moment of England's 1966 World Cup win.
To others of a certain era, it is his jocular co-hosting of a Saturday lunchtime television show which will last longest in the memory.
But for anyone inclined to scour the record books, Jimmy Greaves, who has died at the age of 81, will go down in history as quite simply one of the greatest out-and-out goalscorers of his or any other generation.
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