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Spurs and England legend Jimmy Greaves dies, aged 81

Former England, Tottenham and Chelsea striker Jimmy Greaves has died at the age of 81. He was a m...



Spurs and England legend Jimmy...
Soccer

Spurs and England legend Jimmy Greaves dies, aged 81

Former England, Tottenham and Chelsea striker Jimmy Greaves has died at the age of 81.

He was a member of England's 1966 World Cup-winning squad, and scored 44 times for his country and remains Spurs' all-time record goalscorer.

Following his playing days, Greaves was a popular figure, presenting the TV programme Saint and Greavsie - alongside ex-Liverpool player Ian St John.

Greaves (left, on ground) in action against Ireland at Dalymount Park in May 1964.

England manager Gareth Southgate paid tribute to Greaves, as have many others. Southgate said Greaves' place in football history "will never be forgotten"

Current England captain, and Spurs striker, Harry Kane has called him a "true legend" and one of the game's "great goalscorers".

Harry Redknapp was a teammate of Greaves during his stint at West Ham United.

Redknapp said: "Jimmy Greaves was the greatest goalscorer; left foot, right foot, he'd roll them into the back of the net. There'd be bodies everywhere in the penalty box trying to stop him.

"Not only was he a great, great footballer, he was a fantastic person as well."

Greaves was part of his country's World Cup-winning squad in '66 - but got injured in the group stage.

Geoff Hurst replaced him in Alf Ramsey's attack and famously scored a hat-trick in the Wembley final against Germany.

Speaking in 2016, he said it was the greatest disappointment of his career.

"I'd always felt that we would win the World Cup and I always thought I would be part of it," he said.

"I always dreamed of scoring the winning goal - it didn't happen.

"And I had to live with it."

Speaking on Off The Ball last year, Irish icon John Giles was full of praise for the legendary goalscorer, mentioning him in the same breath as the game's modern messiah, Lionel Messi.

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