Jimmy Armfield

James Christopher Armfield, CBE, DL (21 September 1935 – 22 January 2018)[2] was an English professional football player and manager who latterly worked as a football pundit for BBC Radio Five Live. He played the whole of his Football League career at Blackpool, usually at right back. Between 1954 and 1971 he played 627 games in all competitions, scored six goals, and spent a decade as the club's captain. He also represented the England national team 43 times between 1959 and 1966, and captained them in 15 games.[3] He was a member of England's 1966 World Cup-winning squad. After retiring from playing, Armfield managed Bolton Wanderers and Leeds United.

Jimmy Armfield
CBE DL
Armfield in 2012
Personal information
Full name James Christopher Armfield
Date of birth (1935-09-21)21 September 1935
Place of birth Denton, Lancashire, England
Date of death 22 January 2018(2018-01-22) (aged 82)
Place of death Blackpool, Lancashire, England
Height 5 ft 10 1⁄2 in (1.79 m)[1]
Position(s) Right back
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1954–1971 Blackpool 569 (6)
National team
1956–1959 England U23 9 (0)
1959–1966 England 43 (0)
Teams managed
1971–1974 Bolton Wanderers
1974–1978 Leeds United
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

Armfield was born to Christopher and Doris Armfield.[4] After Armfield's family moved to Blackpool from Denton during the Second World War,[4] he was spotted in a practice match at Bloomfield Road by manager Joe Smith. Armfield, who played on the left wing for that game, scored all of Blackpool's goals in a 4–1 victory.[5] Impressed, Smith offered him a trial.[6] After finishing his studies at Arnold School in Blackpool and obtained his higher school certificate, he joined Blackpool at the age of 17.[4] On 27 December 1954, Armfield made his Blackpool debut at Portsmouth. Armfield recalled of the game: "That League debut at Fratton Park was not, I fear, a very conspicuous one for me. I found myself up against Gordon Dale, a very clever and strong winger with plenty of experience. He was far too good and we lost 3–0. Gordon really gave me the run-around, and I realised just how much I had to learn. They were a very good team in those days, and they scored a goal in about the first two minutes — and I hadn't touched the ball. We were three down after fifteen minutes."[7]

He was part of the Blackpool side that finished in what is to date still the club's highest-ever League position when they finished as First Division (then the top flight in England) runners-up in the 1955–56 season.[8]

Armfield was voted Young Player of the Year in 1959. In 1966, he narrowly lost out to Bobby Charlton for the Footballer of the Year award and had to content himself with being Blackpool's Player of the Year.[6] Blackpool achieved little success in his seventeen years with them, the club having won the FA Cup the year before his arrival. The exception was promotion to the First Division in 1969–70.

Armfield was awarded a testimonial match, played on 2 September 1970, his 35th birthday, and thousands turned out to pay tribute to him.[6] He played his final game for Blackpool on 1 May 1971, in front of a crowd of over 30,000 against Manchester United at Bloomfield Road, in what would be the last game played by Blackpool in the top flight of English football for almost 40 years. He came back from a ten-game injury lay-off to make his swan song appearance.[8]

International career

Armfield won 43 caps for England between 1959 and 1966, and captained his country on fifteen occasions.[9] He made his international debut on 13 May 1959, against Brazil in front of over 120,000 fans at the Maracanã Stadium.[6] He played in the 1962 World Cup in Chile, where he was acclaimed as "the best right-back in the world".[7] He was also voted "best right-back in Europe" between 1962 and 1964. However, a groin injury suffered in Blackpool's last match of the 1963–64 season, against Ipswich Town ruled him out of the side for England's busy summer programme. Fulham's George Cohen took the opportunity to establish himself as England's first choice right-back with a series of strong performances, and Armfield was unable to force his way back into the team. He played two further matches in the warm-up to the 1966 World Cup and was included in the winning squad but a toe injury sustained in the pre-tournament appearance against Finland and Cohen's incumbency ensured he played no part in the tournament. His appearance against Finland was his last for his country.[10]

In the 1966 World Cup final only the 11 players on the pitch at the end of the 4–2 win over West Germany received medals. Following a Football Association-led campaign to persuade FIFA to award medals to all the winners' squad members, Armfield was presented with his medal by Gordon Brown at a ceremony at 10 Downing Street on 10 June 2009.[11]

Management career

Bolton Wanderers

Not long after the end of his playing career, Armfield became manager of Bolton Wanderers in 1971, leading them to promotion to the Second Division in the 1972–73 season as Third Division champions.[12]

Leeds United

On 4 October 1974, Armfield took the helm at Leeds United, replacing Brian Clough as manager, leading them to the European Cup Final in the 1974–75 season in which they lost 2–0 to Bayern Munich under controversial circumstances.[13] Assisted by Don Howe, Armfield was responsible for rebuilding Don Revie's aging but still formidable side, a task which he achieved with some success. Armfield bought in players such as Tony Currie and Brian Flynn, and under his stewardship Leeds never finished outside of the top ten, qualified for the UEFA Cup,[14] and reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup in 1976–77 and the League Cup in 1977–78.[3] He was dismissed as manager in July 1978, being replaced by Celtic manager Jock Stein.[15]

Post-management

Leeds was Armfield's final managerial role, and he decided to work in the media. He worked as a journalist with the Daily Express from 1979 to 1991.[3] Later he was known as a match summariser for BBC Radio Five Live. 2009 marked his 30th year on the BBC. To mark the occasion, Armfield picked his personal Top 5 Players from each decade he had been summarising and these were broadcast as part of 5 Live's 2009 FA Cup Final pre-game programme.

He also worked as a consultant with the Football Association and in this role was responsible for the appointment of Terry Venables as England coach in 1994 and was also a key figure in Glenn Hoddle's appointment two years later. In 2000, he was awarded an OBE for services to football[16] and in 2004 he was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of his home county of Lancashire. In 2005–2006 he served as High Sheriff of Lancashire.[17]

Although born in Denton, Armfield lived mainly in Blackpool, moving there in a Second World War evacuation, and in 2003 he was awarded the freedom of the resort.[18][19] In 2004, he released his autobiography, Right Back to the Beginning: The Autobiography, which a book review in The Times described as "Authoritative and engaging, but at the same time warm-hearted and kind, there is not a harsh word, and hardly a critical one, in it".[20]

On 23 September 2005 he received a civic reception in Blackpool just after his 70th birthday on 21 September when a tangerine flag was flown from the town hall for the day in his honour.[19]

In July 2007, Armfield was awarded with an Honorary Fellowship from nearby Myerscough College, recognising his pioneering contribution to developing the attacking full-back role.

On 22 September 2007, Armfield was the half-time guest at Blackpool's Championship home match against Colchester United. He received a standing ovation, and he thanked the Blackpool fans for their support, which, he said, helped him get through the recent dark days.[21]

On 2 March 2008, Armfield was awarded the Outstanding Contribution honour at the Football League Awards ceremony in London.[3] On 18 September 2008 Armfield was awarded a place in the football Hall of Fame at the National Football Museum in Preston, joining fellow former Seasiders Stanley Matthews and Stan Mortensen in the list of Blackpool players selected. The panel which consisted of Bobby Charlton, Tom Finney and Mark Lawrenson opted to induct Armfield. He was presented with the honour by former England teammate, Jimmy Greaves at the National Football Museum Hall of Fame Night, held in London.[22]

On 27 April 2008, Armfield was awarded the PFA Merit Award at the 35th Annual Awards Dinner at London's Grosvenor Hotel. He received three standing ovations when he got up to accept the award.[7]

In July 2009 he was honoured by Tameside Council in Denton, where he was born, and the Denton and Audenshaw District Assembly presented him with a lifetime-achievement award.[23]

Armfield was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2010 New Year's Honours list for services to the community in Lancashire.[24][25]

Armfield's son, John, also played football, albeit to a less successful level and became a teacher in Lancashire. In October 1980, he signed associated schoolboy forms with Manchester United, but never made a professional appearance before going on to play non-league football for Runcorn, Barrow and Workington.[26]

On 5 May 2012 Armfield presented the trophy to the winning captain.[27] at the FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Liverpool.

Jimmy Armfield was awarded Global Football Ambassador at the Football Business Awards 2016.[28]

Health and death

On 11 May 2007, he announced on BBC Radio Lancashire that he had been undergoing chemotherapy treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma in his throat, and was being advised to rest by his doctors, but he remained positive about his future.[29] The cancer was successfully treated, but returned in November 2016.[30]

Armfield died of the disease on 22 January 2018 in Blackpool, at the age of 82.[31][30]

Recognition

Armfield was inducted into Blackpool's Hall of Fame at Bloomfield Road, when it was officially opened by him in April 2006.[32] Organised by the Blackpool Supporters Association, Blackpool fans around the world voted on their all-time heroes. Five players from each decade are inducted; Armfield is in the 1960s.[33]

Jimmy Armfield's statue outside Bloomfield Road, pictured in 2019

The South Stand at Bloomfield Road, which was opened on 20 March 2010, is named the "Jimmy Armfield South Stand" with ARMFIELD spelled out in white seats amongst the tangerine majority. A statue of Armfield was commissioned by the Blackpool Supporters' Association in 2009. The nine foot high statue, costing £100,000, is located outside the main entrance, behind the West Stand facing Seasiders Way, and was unveiled by Sir Trevor Brooking on 1 May 2011.[34][35][36]

"I feel quite humble about it and I must be honest I will be very proud to see it as I am with the stand, as Blackpool is my team and my town. It is nice to think that anything I have done has been appreciated, all people like to think that."

— Armfield talking in October 2009 about the statue commissioned of him at Bloomfield Road[34]

On 2 September 2019, The FA unveiled the Jimmy Armfield Lecture Theatre at St. George's Park in his honour.[37]

Career statistics

Club statistics

Source:[38]

Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Blackpool 1954–55 First Division 2000—20
1955–56 First Division 30010—310
1956–57 First Division 38040—420
1957–58 First Division 28010—290
1958–59 First Division 32060—380
1959–60 First Division 41130—441
1960–61 First Division 4001010420
1961–62 First Division 3702060450
1962–63 First Division 3902020430
1963–64 First Division 3502020390
1964–65 First Division 4021010422
1965–66 First Division 3512020391
1966–67 First Division 3000020320
1967–68 Second Division 4112020451
1968–69 Second Division 3401040390
1969–70 Second Division 4013020451
1970–71 First Division 2702010300
Career total 56963302506276

Managerial statistics

[39]

Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record
PWDLWin %
Bolton Wanderers 1 August 1971 4 October 1974 180 80 47 53 044.4
Leeds United 4 October 1974 30 June 1978 193 87 47 59 045.1
Total 373 167 94 112 044.8

Honours

Player

England

Manager

Bolton Wanderers

Leeds United

See also

References
  1. "Jimmy Armfield". England Football Online. 9 January 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  2. "Jimmy Armfield: A Football Gentleman, 5 live Sport - BBC Radio 5 live". BBC. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  3. "Football League honours Armfield". BBC Sport. 1 March 2008. Retrieved 2 March 2008.
  4. Glanville, Brian (22 January 2018). "Jimmy Armfield obituary". The Guardian.
  5. "Armfield Ready For Big Day" Archived 23 March 2010 at the Wayback Machine, Blackpool F.C.'s official website, 19 March 2010
  6. Calley, Roy (20 October 1992). Blackpool: A Complete Record, 1887–1992. Breedon Books Publishing Co Ltd. ISBN 978-1-873626-07-8.
  7. Gillatt, Peter (30 November 2009). Blackpool FC on This Day: History, Facts and Figures from Every Day of the Year. Pitch Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-1-905411-50-4.
  8. Culley, Jon (27 May 2007). "League One Play-Off Final: The rock of Blackpool". Independent on Sunday. Retrieved 31 October 2008.
  9. "Jimmy Armfield on englandstats.com". Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  10. Jimmy Armfield with Andrew Collomosse. Right Back to the Beginning: The Autobiography, London: Headline, 2004, pp.135-140. ISBN 0-7553-1276-7
  11. "World Cup 1966 winners honoured". BBC News. 10 June 2009.
  12. Iles, Marc (22 January 2018). "Bolton Wanderers pay respects to ex-manager Jimmy Armfield". Bolton News. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  13. "European Cup & Champions League History 1955-2017". www.europeancuphistory.com.
  14. "Leeds United history". Football 1 Ltd. Archived from the original on 29 October 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  15. "Leeds woo Stein with £30,000 bait - The Glasgow Herald - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. 18 August 1978. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  16. "Sport honoured across the board". BBC News. 16 June 2000. Retrieved 31 October 2008.
  17. "Soccer Sherrif hangs coat of arms". BBC North West. 27 May 2005. Retrieved 31 October 2008.
  18. "Local heroes get freedom honour". BBC North West. 9 April 2003. Retrieved 31 October 2008.
  19. "Resort honours footballing legend". BBC North West. 23 September 2005. Retrieved 31 October 2008.
  20. Lovejoy, Joe (29 February 2004). "Book Review: Right Back To The Beginning by Jimmy Armfield". The Times. London. Retrieved 31 October 2008.
  21. "Jimmy's thanks to 'Pool fans". Blackpool Gazette. 22 September 2007. Retrieved 23 September 2007.
  22. "Jimmy picks up Hall of Fame Award – Football Museum honours Mr Blackpool". Up the Pool. 2008–09 season (Blackpool vs Derby County): 39. 21 October 2008.
  23. "Not Found". www.tameside.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013.
  24. "Lions legend Ian McGeechan knighted in New Year Honours". BBC News. 31 December 2009. Retrieved 31 December 2009.
  25. "No. 59282". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 2009. p. 6.
  26. "Sons and Daughters". Bob and 1970–71 Footballers. 12 October 2007. Archived from the original on 31 August 2010. Retrieved 13 December 2008.
  27. "Blackpool legend Jimmy Armfield to present FA Cup" – BBC News, 20 April 2012
  28. "Winners and Finalists". footballbusinessawards.com.
  29. "Armfield faces cancer treatment". BBC Sport. 11 May 2007. Retrieved 11 May 2007.
  30. "Former England captain Jimmy Armfield dies aged 82". BBC News. 22 January 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  31. "Jimmy Armfield, former England captain, dies aged 82". The Guardian. 22 January 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  32. Singleton, Steve, ed. (2007). Legends: The great players of Blackpool FC (1 ed.). Blackpool: Blackpool Gazette. pp. 40–43. ISBN 978-1-84547-182-8.
  33. "The Hall Of Fame – 1960's". Blackpool Supporters Association. Archived from the original on 12 June 2010. Retrieved 29 November 2009.
  34. "Legend Jimmy Armfield Honoured With A Statue". Blackpool. 30 October 2009. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  35. "The Statue: How the life size sculpture will be created". The Jimmy Armfield Statue Fund. 30 October 2009. Archived from the original on 26 May 2010. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  36. "Statue of Jimmy Armfield unveiled at Bloomfield Road". BBC News. 1 May 2011. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
  37. "England FA renames lecture theatre in honour of Blackpool legend Jimmy Armfield". Blackpool Gazette. 2 September 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  38. Jimmy Armfield at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
  39. Jimmy Armfield at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
  40. Hayward, Paul (23 January 2018). "Charming and wise Jimmy Armfield had a profound gift for empathy that instilled the game with dignity". The Telegraph. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  41. "Club Honours - Bolton Wanderers". www.bwfc.co.uk.
  42. McQueen, Gordon (22 January 2018). "Quiet, thoughtful and good – Jimmy Armfield was a top manager". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 August 2019.

Bibliography
  • Armfield, Jimmy; Collomosse, Andrew (2 February 2004). Right Back to the Beginning: The Autobiography. Headline. ISBN 978-0-7553-1276-4.

Further reading
  • Calley, Roy (20 October 1992). Blackpool: A Complete Record 1887–1992. Breedon Books Publishing Co Ltd. ISBN 978-1-873626-07-8.
  • Singleton, Steve, ed. (2007). Legends: The great players of Blackpool FC (1 ed.). Blackpool: Blackpool Gazette. ISBN 978-1-84547-182-8.
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