He was Tottenham’s greatest ever goalscorer.
One of English football’s greatest ever players, Jimmy Greaves. has passed away at the age of 81.
Greaves was one of Spurs’ greatest ever players and is their all-time record goalscorer.
Starting his career at Chelsea, ‘Greavsie’ scored 125 goals in 157 appearances for the Blues, and his tally of 41 goals in the 1960/61 First Division season still stands as a club record.
But it was at Tottenham that he truly became a legend of English football, scoring 266 goals in 379 appearances between 1961 and 1970, and winning two FA Cups and the European Cup Winners’ Cup during his nine years at the club.
The striker was a member of England’s 1966 World Cup winning side, and scored a remarkable 44 goals in 57 appearances for his country, making him England’s fourth highest international goalscorer In a statement, Tottenham said:
“We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of the great Jimmy Greaves. We extend our deepest sympathies to Jimmy’s family and friends at this sad time.
“Rest in peace, Jimmy.”
The statement ended: “Football will not see his like again.”
We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of the great Jimmy Greaves.
We extend our deepest sympathies to Jimmy's family and friends at this sad time.
Rest in peace, Jimmy.
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 19, 2021
Across his career, ‘Greavsie’ scored 447 goals and was the greatest striker of his generation. He retired in 1971 at the age of 31.
Greaves and former Liverpool and Scotland star Ian St. John were co-hosts of the popular ITV football show Saint & Greavsie from 1985 to 1992. We would highly recommend a YouTube deep dive on the show, as it had so many memorable moments, including this Italia 90 episode:
The former footballer suffered a stroke in 2015 which left him in poor health. Greaves was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours list at the end of 2020.
Later on Sunday, Tottenham take on Chelsea in the Premier League in what is now sure to be a highly emotional day for both clubs.
He leaves behind his wife Irene, their four children, 10 grandchildren and great grandchildren.
