The Drama of Jimmy Greaves, How he Lived is Sad
#jimmygreaves #footballicon #englishfootball
A couple of years ago, England had to say goodbye to one of the country's best strikers. A master of the pitch with his capabilities to score a goal from every position. Today, we bring you the story of Jimmy Greaves. We highlight all the positive achievements but also tell you about the last years that were marked by some serious health issues.
Without a doubt, Greaves was the best pure finisher England has ever produced. No player can compare to him. His effectiveness in front of goal was akin to that of the deadliest predators in the natural world, since he was just concerned with scoring goals. The gratification that resulted from his desire for objectives was only a secondary concern. Gerd Müller and Romário proved to be as skilled in the years that followed, but they were lucky enough to receive the greatest prize not awarded to Greaves: a World Cup winner's medal obtained by an outstanding showing in the championship match.
Пікірлер: 234
He didnt live a sad life, he acheived much, and was loved by many
@andrewwheeler8591
7 ай бұрын
Spot on
@jonsaddler3067
7 ай бұрын
He lived a wonderful life. a few ups and downs but a wonderful life . God bless you Jimmy
@gostrum1
7 ай бұрын
Click bait title..”Sadly”
@willie549
6 ай бұрын
Sorry but he has not been given the respect he has deserved. I wonder why?
@mrmastersa
6 ай бұрын
Thank you Jason.. I obviously knew of Jimmy as an outstanding footballer, but actually met him a few times as he was an owner of a golf club where I played. He presented prizes at the end of one year and I was late and the only table space left was next to Jimmy. I was horrified as I know nothing about football and knew more about Danny his son as Im from Rochford near Southend where he played. Jimmy and I spoke all evening about Rugby and all the stories of bitterness that some say he had are rubbish. He CHOSE not to attend football matches that he was invited to as he much preferred watching in his home with his grandchildren. There was no envy of todays footballers salaries and when someone on the table brought up Sir Alf Ramsey, we thought we might get a bit of daggers, but not a bit or it... He just laughed about Sir Alf's elocution lessons (he was from estuary essex with an accent to match.) He was a splendid fella, absolutely grounded with no edge and loved by us all... A true idol
Celtic fan here, saw Jimmy twice live. Once playing against us and once playing against scotland. I don't think the English knew exactly how brilliant a centre forward jimmy was. I'm not exaggerating when I say he's in my 3 top strikers I ever saw. Thanks jimmy.
@michaellovell1368
7 ай бұрын
Nice words, Danny, but certainly DID know just how good he was. Similar to the way we all acknowleged Denis .
@johnbuell8035
7 ай бұрын
Greaves’ ability to score goals was like nothing I’ve ever seen elsewhere. He wasn’t flashy or attention-grabbing, just the most astonishing goal-scorer.
@stephenboyd4934
7 ай бұрын
Most of his career was played on muddy pitches & heavy wet leather balls
@DannyBhoy88
7 ай бұрын
Sorry boys, I was meaning the younger English fellas.
@Mancunianblue
7 ай бұрын
The GREATEST OF ALL.
Indisputably England’s greatest ever goal scorer with 357 goals for Chelsea and Spurs in the top flight, leaving Alan Shearer trailing way behind him. But because it was pre Premier League the ignorant don’t mention it. Jimmy showed incredible courage to conquer his alcoholism. He was much loved by his wife and family, and I hope he had much happiness to compensate for the tough times. The term legend is used too often but this gentleman deserves it.
@keithbentley6081
6 ай бұрын
Absolutely spot on.
@thebagfather4633
6 ай бұрын
i think some people forgot there was football before the prem lge. your comment is spot on chap
@johnturnef133
5 ай бұрын
The problem the Jimmy Greaves and Booby Moores, and many more, had with alcohol, was bought about by their circumstances. They trained in the mornings and finished up in the pub or betting shops in the afternoon. They didn’t all own cars and travelled on public transport and after matches fans would wait and stand them drinks, often for hours after matches.
HE WAS BRILLIANT NO ONE TODAY COULD TOUCH HIM , PLAYERS NOW ARE NOT EVEN IN THE SAME LEAGUE
@keithdukes5990
6 ай бұрын
I'll second that my good man!!!
From Scotland - Jimmy Greaves was a footballing icon and done so well for the clubs he played for especially Spurs . Top player and top guy sounds likes also ..Was also very good on the Saint & Greavsie shows on Sat afternoons which we dont have today and would not get same again as sadly times have changed not for the better but for the worst i add sadly . A Great player in his days Jimmy and like some others gone is sadly missed but never shall be forgotten up their with the greats in football . Rip Jimmy Greaves an icon ..
How he lived wasn’t sad at all, he did what he loved and died a legend that will always be remembered.
Don't even mention Shearer , Rooney , Lineker in the same breath as this man , Jimmy was the best England ever had by a million miles
@darkknight1340
6 ай бұрын
100% right.He was light years ahead of those overpaid prima-donnas you listed.
Jimmy had a great career in football and television he had a family friends and fans that loved him his life was far from sad
He was a breath of fresh air and will be missed R.I.P. legend
Rangers fan here, saw Rangers v Spurs as a boy 1962 cup winners cup. We had a good team but lost first leg 5-2 at White heart lane, return leg at Ibrox was a much tighter game with Rangers losing 2-3. Spurs had so many great players but Jimmy Greaves was the best of all. Such quick feet and pace. Of course they went on to win the cup.
@MrYFlyer
6 ай бұрын
Was John White The Ghost playing?
The greatest goalscorer I’ve ever seen and Shearer doesn’t compare with him.
I had the pleasure of seeing him play twice, I don’t think he ever got the real true recognition he richly deserved, For me he was the complete footballer.
I met Jimmy at a Q&A dinner do in Nottingham of all places and he was a true gentleman he signed autographs and took time to speak to everyone who approached him ! a fantastic footballer but above all a wonderful man ! thanks Jimmy for all the memories 👍
I cried when spurs sold him to west ham, amongst a particularly dark period at the lane, Jimmy was a one off, never be a replacement for him, kept us all laughing and entertained for years after he hung up his boots too! ❤ bless you Jim, always been a part of my life
Jimmy Greaves was the greatest goalscorer this country has ever seen, not like today players blasting the ball over the bar from inside the box, give it Jimmy and you could bet your house on the goalkeeper picking the ball out of that net.
They say you should never meet your heroes but I did and he was the greatest striker I have ever seen.What a gentleman as well. From a Leicester fan.
Jimmy was the best there ever was or will be in the future! He was none of this money mad or look at me on the big screen type of player. He was just a genius goal scorer and a very nice man which in this era is a rarity in it's self!
@miatarot-virgo8623
6 ай бұрын
Well Said!!
What a player, what a character!
Another Celtic fan here, didn't actually see him play but remember my dad raving about how good he was, one of THE all time greats.
I grew up with a Tottenham supporting Grandad & a Chelsea supporting dad telling me how good Jimmy Greaves was, I used to say “what that geezer off Saint & Greavsie?!”. Then I got a bit older & saw the film, what a player.
Jimmy Greaves was a true great and I really object to the "How he lived is sad" tag. Piss poor, misleading and disrespectful.
Saw him with Spurs at Burnley years ago what a player England's finest ever goalscorer
I only ever saw one other striker I'd compare to Greaves & that was the great Gerd Mulller! Greaves was a pure thoroughbred striker & deadly in front of goal.
I had the pleasure of meeting Jimmy at a sports dinner once, he was a true gentleman x
what a player he was , never looked like missing a chance , one of my heroes on and off the pitch
Total respect from Scotland UK 🇬🇧
@DavidBroadley-tw7ks
6 ай бұрын
Hun st john got some right stick at the celtic forest game from the jungle we knew he was a hun
@vincentmcnabb939
6 ай бұрын
He loved the 🍀
My Dad was a Spurs fan and used to take me to White Hart Lane in the mid-sixties, and Jimmy Greaves was my football hero, and without question, he is the best English goal-scorer during my life-time.
Saint and Greavsy Saturday on Telly then off to the match. Good times.
i saw Jimmy Greaves play. he ran near the goal as if the ball was stuck to the outside of his boot by velcrose. the only other player who did the same at that time was Alex Young at Everton. both majestic players who thrilled us.
The best goalscorer ever......and a World Cup winner!!! A 'True' legend!
I am 72yrs old and an avid Spurs fan of the 60s/70s/80s. It is a period where football was honest, where the players were out there for the love of the game, where we wanted to see the star players of the visiting side and admire THEIR skill too. To me, the rot started with Chelsea and Leeds starting to kick the opponents off the pitch and effectively kicked the skill, flair and sheer enjoyment out of it. Names like Dave Webb, Ron Harris of Chelsea and the likes of Norman Hunter at Leeds. More recently we saw the animal disguised as a footballer called Vinnie Jones. Yes, him that carried out that assault on Gary Stevens AFTER the ball had crossed the touch line, that ended his Stevens' career. My enthusiasm waned with the advent of stupid wages starting to be paid and the ticket price skyrocketed. You couldn't just turn up anymore, you had to book a ticket. Then the First division was renamed the "Premier" division and we all know why - TV revenues. Footballers becoming "Celebrities" like the over inked Brain of Britain and his anorexic wife who only smiles if she's about to fart. Nope, not interested anymore. I feel we have had the golden years of the game. Thankyou Jim, Smiffy, Jonesy, Dave Mackay John White Terry Medwin et al., for entertaining this youngster with his bobble hat and scarf on and rattle in his hand, standing on his "swing" hanging from the front terrace wall railing wif all those uvver nippers all those years ago. Great memories. (Still don't know where Slovan Bratislava is).
@keithdukes5990
6 ай бұрын
Totally agree with every word sir 100%
@brianmcewan4838
6 ай бұрын
Absolutely agree. Football nowadays is another example of things not being as good as they used to be. RIP Jimmy 🇬🇧
@johnbuell8035
3 ай бұрын
Exactly right.
He played relaxed and for-fun. His goals were just amazing in quality and numbers. RIP.
He is the best this country has ever had! He deserves a statue.
RIP jimmy you done your part and more for Football. You passed on some brilliant skills to your younger generation and those skills, not many footballers of today Jan 2024 still can’t get them right. You will always be remembered as a football legend 😊
Sport Icons are trading on player's fictional demise, players who had a full & contented life before they actually died! I don't see anything sad in his last years! He was still idolised, still had family & many friends, he wasn't destitute! The Greatest England forward because he scored more goals per games played than anyone else!
@paulgreen758
7 ай бұрын
I agree, what a player
This is back in the day when football was real and where the people could closely relate to. No VAR, No new additions to the rules and where the referees were anonymous. Supposed coaches of today would do well to show clips of Jimmy Greaves, Dennis Law, George Best and jimmy Johnstone, and learn what football skill truly is.
@keithdukes5990
6 ай бұрын
I'll second that sir 100%👍
Jimmy was asked about what was his worst goal drought he replied "It was the worst 15 minutes of my career".
I'm aged 70 now but can still remember watching him from the terraces score that great goal against Man U at the Park Lane end where the away supporters used to stand. He's a true legend and was my school boy hero.
I wouldn't say he had a sad life, a footballers life is luxurious compared to most people in life, OK he had a drink problem at one stage in his life, health problems are what everybody gets in life, he had a good life & seemed a decent bloke, so God rest his soul.
Jimmy was my hero. I had to shed a tear when he passed on. A great player. Saw him many times throughout the sixties.
Jimmy has to be one of the most underrated players in England,he was,in his day,an incredible centre forward.
The best striker RIP Jimmy Greaves
@kennethholroyd3588
7 ай бұрын
Best striker, why didn't he play in world cup final 1966. !!!!
@johnmercury2272
7 ай бұрын
@@kennethholroyd3588 because he was injured.
@kennethholroyd3588
7 ай бұрын
Or pissed, not injured Alan ball got the nod from sir alf,
@johnmercury2272
7 ай бұрын
@@kennethholroyd3588 It wasn't Alan Ball it was Geoff Hurst whose position as striker he took. Nothing to do with being pissed, he was injured in an earlier round so Alf chose Geoff Hurst, Alan Ball was a midfielder not a striker.
@kennethholroyd3588
7 ай бұрын
@johnmercury2272 grow up, he still did not play cup final in 1966, that's the fact.
Simply the best. Nuff said.
That actually brought a tear to my eyes!!
I watched Jimmy Greaves play many times, a great player and goal scorer,he was a true gentleman but unfortunately he became an alcoholic which he never quite managed to overcome,
@PaulDavis-qm7to
5 ай бұрын
Never quite managed to overcome?? He had his last drink in February 1978, recovered sufficiently to be on the ITV World Cup panel in 1982 and go on to have an excellent career in punditry.
@ianwood5193
5 ай бұрын
@@PaulDavis-qm7to l didn't know that as l emigrated while he was still a fantastic player, l only heard of his problems from abroad, l still think of him as the best goalscorer England ever had and a gentleman.
Liverpool fan never be anyone like Jimmy r.i.p he was the best
I saw him play once for spurs against Burnley. What a player
Every one grows old and it’s not always easy on there families but it doesn’t mean he had a sad life
@andrewwheeler8591
7 ай бұрын
Agreed
RIP Mr Jimmy Greaves.. from a Celtic Fan.
I remember making Jimmy and Ian st John smile/ nearly laugh, through the window into the commentators room at upton park mid 80's. It was half time, west ham v man utd.
Jimmy as a kid used to walk up my front path, into my porch and knock for his mate next door. They'd play football right outside my house. My Grandfather (was he's house at the time)told me that he was really little but so fast and skillful and knew he would play professionally as he got older. Wish I was around when that happened. Absolutely loved watching Jimmy on the TV growing up. Saint and Greaves was the greatest football tv programme ever. Miss those times.
In Scotland,Jimmy was a Hamilton Academicals fan (Ian St John a Motherwell fan) and they did "Saint and Greavsy" from Douglas park in the 80s! Legends!
Newcastle fan my hero growing up on the fields
He was and is adored!!!!
I followed the Spurs everyweek during the 60's and I was privileged to see Jimmy play and score some of his greatest goals for our team. My fondest memory of him was a personal one when the team travelled back from an away match on the same train as some of the supporters after a win where Jimmy had scored and they wandered into the restaurant car where we were queuing for tea and a sandwich. Jimmy and Joe Kinnear just joined the queue, chatted with me and my mate Reg and seeing the scarves, and probably the admiration in our eyes, Jimmy said, "Here you go lads, we'll get those for you" and paid for our teas and sanwiches. Lovely days, could anyone see that happening now? An absolute genius, a lovely bloke and a truly immortal hero to so many.
When you look at how tough the game was compared to now, his achievements were even more astonishing..and who can forget Saint & greavsie..? A legend
Jimmy just got old like we all do. Bless you greavsie.
I never supported Spurs but have to concede Jimmy Greaves was the very best goalscorer this country has ever seen...bar none....RIP Jim...
We met a few years back Jimmy in Grange Motors , Ron and No k introduced me to one of my all time idols. I was lost for words but you listened and we shock hands, thank you for being just normal , love you dude always ..
he lived a far from sad life and was quite lucky as alcoholics recovering or not don't get the chances he did TV am, Saint and Greavsie, etc, etc. he was lucky he lived to be as old as he did.
Loved Jimmy Greaves. A great player and brilliant man. Bhoys 🍀
He played against coventry one of my mates said greaves did nothing except score the winner😅
He was one of my boyhood heroes in the 60s
@yesenochwasRIGHT
6 ай бұрын
Tell the memories of jimmy then
Surely such greatness should be recognized by the crown much earlier in the persons life...
“It’s a funny old game Saint”. RIP.
i was doing a job at a local shop to where jimmy lived on the eve of wayne rooney beating his england scoring record and being a arsenal fan myself i tried to banter him but he didnt respond until he got to the door of the shop and turned to me and said i dont give a flying f about any england records at the top of his voice but to be honest i was gutted id upset him even though i support arsenal to me he was a living legend rest in peace fella
An amazing goal scoring football genius .Alf Ramsey was a fool
Different league to today’s lot.A true legend.God bless you dear Jimmy .R.I.P.😢😢
When you get old you will see it is not fun for any who doesn't die suddenly and unexpectedly. We suffer, all of us and look back on our lives to make up for the suffering. Jimmy had a wealth of great memories, not only with a top player in a great era, but for decades after, so, a very full life full of people who loved him. Like all of us we have melancholy moments but that's life, so cut the crap.
I saw him and asked him about the time it took him to earn one hundred pounds a week he said a long time someone else asked how would the team of his day get on against the teams of today he said they would have won 1-0 only 1-0 the guy asked he said well most of them are nearly 70 really nice bloke.
Players like Greaves and Best who could demonstrate skill on those old pitches, should be judged on a different scale to the modern game.
Saw him play at Manchester city when I was a kid?he was magic
The greatest goal scorer of all time
@BrianVincent-gz2dq
6 ай бұрын
Some statement.
This man was the greatest English centre forward he played on poor pitches heavy footballs and defenders who would kick you into the middle of next week worth today 600 million pounds
Stop using the word sad for sensationalism Jimmy Greaves had more highs in his life than a thousand KZread viewers like me put together. He had more fans, more followers, more cheerleaders than most footballers could ever desire - he was simply the best striker of his generation. He travelled the world. He made money and lost it and made it again. He lived! Always he had a sense of humour. So stop saying he was sad it's called life! And he had it!
Englands greatest striker the record speaks for itself
Greatest English striker ever
worked at jimmys house in 1974 when he lived in the fairway upminster great man
My childhood hero, Jimmy Greaves, the GOAT.
Loved Saint and Greavsie
He didn't have a sad life from the sound of your voice you are suffering with depression
674 games 446 official goals not bad for a man who lost interest in the game. Probably top 5 best goalscorers of all time worldwide.
One of England's Greatest R.I.P Jimmy
Spoiled only by the very strange narration….Greaves was the greatest.
I have just read his Autobiography and he said his Alcoholism Started in the 1970s. He always liked to Drink heavily but not after Being Dropped for the 1966 World Cup Final As he Was naturally disappointed but Continued to be the top Scorer for Tottenham Tottenham Hotspurs for 4 more year before Hepatitis Lead to him joining West Ham United. But when he stopped Drinking he drank Alcoholically for 2 year when his marriage broke down. He eventually went to AA for the Right reasons and finally managed to stop as he's says "A day At a Time" Probably Best goal scorer in the world during the the 1960s RIP
@markbaker4708
7 ай бұрын
Stopped playing Football I meant to say thankYou
Great player he had a good life
Legend.
"How he lived was sad,"really, that reminds me of the story once told by George Best , an Irish Porter in a hotel said to him, "where did it all go wrong George", George said something on the lines of "I've just won 25grand in a casino and miss world is lying on my bed, you tell me". Jimmy's international stats say it All an out and out world class goal scorer.
True legend
Seemed one of the nicest people !!
Overused word legend but greavsie was a legendary footballer and pundit funny guy as well
im too young to have seen him play, but i never missed Saint and Greavesie on a saturday when i was a teenager. thats how i'll always remember both him and Ian St. John
What a great player greavsie was. He did not live a sad life. Yes it had its ups and downs, but he had a great football career!
Legend
I do seem to remember I was 8 in 1968 and my dad got me a spurs shirt I actually drew in magic marker 8 on the back. Was my since that day I became spurs. Loved all the players Jennings mackay. Gilzean etc. Jimmy was so unlucky with World Cup. I do think I remember as documentary about his wilderness nears ?? But he reinvented him self worn ian St. John. Absolutely a great guy lovely man and definitely Englands and spurs best striker. Look at the pitches and his control. Unbelievable. Such a nice man xx
I remember the interview he did with a young Mike Tyson
What a man what a player what a comedy act with st,John, and up the accies 😂
💔💔💔 beautiful guy! Godbless 🙏 you & your beautiful family xxx
He had a great life..
These are true football legends no acting on the pitch they played the true game no diving when someone comes up to you no scam rolling round in agony because some feather tickled their legs these were true men no ponce that rolls around like a crocodile his bitten them. Then the poxy TV sacked him for telling the truth about the crap players.