Jimmy Greaves, a member of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning squad and Tottenham’s all-time record goalscorer, has passed away at the age of 81.
Tottenham have announced Jimmy Greaves died in the early hours of Sunday morning aged 81.
Tributes from across England have come in wake of Greaves’ passing as the nation mourns the loss of arguably one of its greatest footballers, who had been left wheelchair-bound since a severe stroke in May 2015.
A statement from Spurs on Sunday morning read: “We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of the great Jimmy Greaves, not just Tottenham Hotspur’s record goalscorer but the finest marksman this country has ever seen.
“Jimmy passed away at home in the early hours of this morning (Sunday 19 September), aged 81. Football will not see his like again. We extend our sincere condolences to his wife Irene, their four children, 10 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”
🏟 579 appearances
⚽️ 382 goals
🏴 44 England goals
🏆 1961/1962 Serie A
🏆 2x FA Cup
🏆 2x Charity Shield
🏆 1962/1963 Cup Winners’ Cup
🏆 1966 World CupJimmy Greaves, a legend of the game 👏 pic.twitter.com/O8Vkdjk8eC
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) September 19, 2021
Greaves’ legacy in football
Greaves began a 23-year career in football at Chelsea in 1957 before embarking on spells with AC Milan and Tottenham.
His time in Italy was brief, although Greaves still won the Serie A title. He even supplied an impressive 132 goals in 169 games for Chelsea. It was at Tottenham, however, where the striker became a legend. He scored a club record of 266 goals in a nine-season spell in north London, winning two FA Cups and the European Cup Winners Cup.
The prolific marksmen also delivered on the international stage with 44 goals in 57 outings for England and he played a part behind the Three Lions’ run to World Cup glory in 1966.
He also had spells at Brentwood, Chelmsford City, Barnet and Woodford Town before hanging up his boots.
I took this picture of Jimmy Greaves finally getting his World Cup medal at a reception in No.10 Downing St in June 2009. Rest in peace Jimmy pic.twitter.com/y2ieUyfJIx
— enda brady (@SkyEnda) September 19, 2021