Jimmy Greaves RIP

My dear departed old man always said he was the greatest goal scorer he ever saw.
Anybody who hasn’t seen them just look at his goal scoring record. It’s quite frankly unbelievable
Made even more remarkable when you bear in mind what defenders were allowed to get away with in that era.
The likes of Harris,Hunter,Smith etc kicking lumps out of you week in week out.
Did it for a short spell in Italy as well and his international record is also pretty impressive.
He was only 5ft 8 so wasn’t the biggest but my old man said it was his balance that was the key.
A truly great footballer and based on his telly stuff a decent bloke as well

 

Watched him score a beauty against Sheffield Wednesday back in the sixties. Those were still the days when crowds mixed together. Even the Owls fans applauded the goal.

 

Too young to have seen him play, but clearly a wonderful footballer.

Loved his enthusiasm for football on Saint and Greavsie. RIP.

 

Can only recall seeing Greaves once playing live, when we played them in the cup in 1970.

Thought we were in for a right hammering when Greaves hit the post with their first attack. As the game panned out we could have won it with the clearance off the line from Bruce Stowell's shot.

Below is a report from the game:
Bradford City, then playing in Division Three earned a memorable draw with Tottenham in this FA Cup Fourth round game played out on an icy and snowy pitch.

In the first attack of the game seconds into the match, Hallett sliced a clearance straight to Jimmy Greaves, who hit the post. Greaves hit the net soon after within the first minute capitalising on Alan Gilzean's back-header from a long- throw to score from close range and in the ninth minute, Roger Morgan's header from Neil Johnson's cross gave Tottenham a 2-0 lead from just outside the six-yard box.

However, before half-time, the home side were on level terms. Mike England got the final touch to Bobby Ham's low cross to take it past Pat Jennings with 25 minutes gone and then in the 38th minute, Bruce Stowell became the City hero with an equaliser, firing his rising shot into the roof of the net.

In the second period Knowles cleared a John Hall shot off the goal-line with 77 minutes on the clock and City keeper Pat Liney produced a fingertip save to deny Roger Morgan's powerful shot, but both sides had to prepare to do battle again at White Hart Lane in the replay.

Teams :
Bradford City - Pat Liney, , Tommy Hallett, Colin Cooper, John Hall, John Middleton, Bruce Stowell, Norman Corner, Bobby Ham, Bruce Bannister, .
Spurs - Jennings, Kinnear, Knowles, Mullery, England, Beal, Johnson (Pearce), Greaves, Gilzean, Perryman, Morgan
Attendance : - 23,000

 

Phenomenal goal scoring record at all levels, those who saw him have special memories I saw him a few times against Leeds and Huddersfield Town, but when he turned up at Valley Parade it was something special, unfortunately that day we had far too much respect for Spurs and as you say found ourselves 2 - 0 down after 20 minutes or so, with regards the Cyril Knowles header I believe it was Johnny Hall who connected with a screamer unfortunately Knowles got his head to it and cleared the danger.

Jimmy Greaves

R.I.P

 

Stand corrected, it does state John Hall in the report. I was sure it was Bruce, perhaps getting mixed up with his goal. Thank you.

Regarding Greaves he would have flourished in the current day with his style of play and finishing ability. Wouldn't like to think what his transfer value would be.

 

Already journalists are saying that only Wayne Rooney 50 goals in 107 appearances, Sir Bobby Charlton 49/106 and Gary Lineker 48/80 have scored more goals for England. Jimmy Greaves had an unbelievable scoring record at club and international level, his 44 England goals came in only 57 appearances!

RIP Jimmy Greaves

 

Had the pleasure of seeing him play for us in his last season, instantly went from villain to hero. Without doubt the best goal scorer of his generation.

 

Watched a great documentary about him on BT sport late last night.
Didn’t know about the hepatitis in 65 and the injury against France in 66 which gave Geoff Hurst his chance.
Vaguely knew about the New year Blackpool drinking thing but he said it wasn’t the reason they lost.
Some absolute cow fields of pitches in the clips it showed.Maine road on his West Ham debut was just mud.
They say scoring goals is the hardest thing in football,yet he made it look so sublimely easy.

 

The Maine Road game is on YT somewhere, pitch was dreadful.
After he retired he opened a menswear shop local to me, and a lot of us used to buy stuff there just to actually talk to him.

 

Saw you play and score in the cup at Valley Parade, As others have said a sublime finisher, Rest in peace Jimmy and thanks for the memories, RIP