Jimmy Greaves.

ivoralljack

Grizzled Veteran
Staff member
RIP, Jimmy Greaves, a true legend and one of the all time Greats. Jimmy played in an era of heavy mud-bath pitches, where every team had a hatchet man that specialised in chopping down opposing talent and when referees happily allowed it as part of the game.

I watched a discussion of top pros evaluating what he would be like in today's game. Unplayable was the basic conclusion. He'd be kicking modern footballs; using modern boots; enjoying state of the art training with an army of backroom staff including nutritionists etc. And he'd be playing on bowling green pitches. The final consensus was that he'd be knocking in 60 goals a season today and I wouldn't argue with that.

He scored 44 goals in 57 appearances for England WITH NOT A SINGLE PENALTY to boost his figures. Believe it or not, when he was the designated penalty taker, England went 50 games without getting one! We've covered Jimmy before on here and his goals can readily be found online. But what endeared him to me was that he played with a smile. He was intelligent, quick-witted and always ready with a quip. This stood him in great stead as a tv personality and presenter where his programme Saint and Greavsie is now regarded as classic football viewing.

They don't make them like Jimmy any more and that's a shame.
 

Jackflash

Midfield General
Staff member
I see another good player of note has passed away, Paul Mariner at the early age of 68.
Played most of his career for Ipswich under Bobby Robson in their hayday, Great centre forward, RIP Paul.
 
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ivoralljack

Grizzled Veteran
Staff member
Jimmy never took himself seriously and always played down his achievements in the game. My favourite quip from him was taken from one of his theatre appearances when he said that he was once badly affected by a goal drought. "It was the longest 20 minutes of my life", he said. :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO:
 
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