RIP Jimmy Armfield
Discussion
Such a sad day up here.
To young to have seen him play, but know plenty of people who did.
What a life, evacuated from Denton at the age of 8 to Blackpool, choice of playing football or rugby when at Arnold School and chose football (thankfully), one club man (600+ games), England player (43 caps), England Captain (15 times), played in the 62 WC where he was voted 'Best Right Back', part of the WC66 squad, would have played if he wasn't injured in the final game of season. Manager at Bolton winning the the Third division then taking over at Leeds when Clough walked out, taking them to the Eurpean Cup final.
After that he went full time sport journalist with the Daily Express. He'd actually been studying journalism whilst still at Blackpool, working on the local Blackpool Gazette newspaper. Then being a summariser for BBC radio which he was still doing up till a couple of seasons ago.
Also worked for the PFA and The FA where he was responsible for getting Venables and Hoddle as England managers.
So not a bad football career.
But he also did much more away from football, was the organist at his Church, served on numerous local charities, involved with the local NHS health initiatives.
He wont be forgotten here in Blackpool, we have the Jimmy Armfield South stand at Bloomfield Rd, his statue outside the ground, and a new generation of kids will be educated at the Armfield Academy that takes the first children when it opens later this year, that stands on the site of his old school, Arnold, after it closed when it merged with another school in Lytham.
The documentary that 'Nom de ploom' mentions above is available on the BBC 5live website and also being replayed tonight at 10pm on 5live.
His Autobiography 'Right back to the beginning' is an excellent read.
RIP Gentleman Jim
To young to have seen him play, but know plenty of people who did.
What a life, evacuated from Denton at the age of 8 to Blackpool, choice of playing football or rugby when at Arnold School and chose football (thankfully), one club man (600+ games), England player (43 caps), England Captain (15 times), played in the 62 WC where he was voted 'Best Right Back', part of the WC66 squad, would have played if he wasn't injured in the final game of season. Manager at Bolton winning the the Third division then taking over at Leeds when Clough walked out, taking them to the Eurpean Cup final.
After that he went full time sport journalist with the Daily Express. He'd actually been studying journalism whilst still at Blackpool, working on the local Blackpool Gazette newspaper. Then being a summariser for BBC radio which he was still doing up till a couple of seasons ago.
Also worked for the PFA and The FA where he was responsible for getting Venables and Hoddle as England managers.
So not a bad football career.
But he also did much more away from football, was the organist at his Church, served on numerous local charities, involved with the local NHS health initiatives.
He wont be forgotten here in Blackpool, we have the Jimmy Armfield South stand at Bloomfield Rd, his statue outside the ground, and a new generation of kids will be educated at the Armfield Academy that takes the first children when it opens later this year, that stands on the site of his old school, Arnold, after it closed when it merged with another school in Lytham.
The documentary that 'Nom de ploom' mentions above is available on the BBC 5live website and also being replayed tonight at 10pm on 5live.
His Autobiography 'Right back to the beginning' is an excellent read.
RIP Gentleman Jim
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