Ossie and Harry Ardiles, former Tottenham Hotspur bosses, joined ex-footballers Micky Hazard, Steve Perryman, and Paul Miller today at the funeral of legendary striker Jimmy Greaves.
The Spurs legends were all photographed arriving at the private funeral at Chelmsford Crematorium, Essex, after former England, Tottenham, and Chelsea star Greaves, who died aged 81.
Greaves, who died at home on September 19, holds the record of 266 goals for Tottenham Hotspur, 357 goals in English top-flight football, and scored a record six hat-tricks for England.
In May 2015, he suffered a stroke that left him disabled and speech impaired. He had also been a victim to alcoholism. He quit drinking in 1978.
His Spurs return was 266 goals in 379 appearances between 1961 and 1970 – 220 goals in 321 league games, 32 goals in 36 FA Cup ties, five in eight League Cup ties and nine in 14 European matches.
Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp (left), Ossie Ardiles, (right) at Chelmsford Crematorium today
Micky Hazard (left) & Steve Perryman (right), former Tottenham Hotspur players, arrive before the funeral today
Harry Redknapp, former Tottenham Hotspur manager, and Paul Miller, ex player at Chelmsford Crematorium today
Harry Redknapp (right), former Tottenham Hotspur boss, arrives today at Chelmsford Crematorium for Jimmy Greaves’s funeral.
In 57 senior appearances for England Greaves scored 44 goals, which is fourth in Three Lions history.
He was part of the 1966 World Cup-winning team, but he did not play in the victory over West Germany.
Geoff Hurst replaced Ramsey at the quarter-final stage with a shin injury. Alf Ramsay’s decision not alter a winning side was overturned by Hurst’s hat-trick that day.
Greaves’ career began at Chelsea in the junior ranks. He became a professional in May 1957. He scored on his Blues debut and had 132 goals for the club.
His return of 41 goals from 40 matches for Chelsea in the 1960/61 season is a club record.
Greaves, who was then at the end a season of his career, left Stamford Bridge to sign with AC Milan. However, Greaves only spent a few months in Italy before he joined Spurs in December 1961 to be part of Bill Nicholson’s winning side.
Tottenham described him as “the finest marksman the country has ever seen”. He said that he was “always in the right spot at the right moment to add the finishing touch on another well-worked maneuver.”
Greaves moved to West Ham in 1970 after nine years at White Hart Lane. This club was the closest to his East London roots.
Though it would not prove a happy stay at Upton Park, the 13 league goals he scored for the Hammers took him to 366 goals in Europe’s top-five leagues.
This was the all-time record, until it was overthrown by Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2016-17 superb Real Madrid campaign.
After leaving West Ham Greaves took a rest from the game but returned to play in the lower divisions. He played for Brentwood Town, Chelmsford and Barnet.
After he retired from playing, Greaves appeared alongside Ian St John, a former Liverpool striker, in the ITV series ‘Saint and Greavsie,’ which saw him become a popular pundit.
Jimmy Greaves (pictured in 2013, holds the record of 266 goals scored for Tottenham Hotspur, and 357 in English top flight football.
Outside flowers will be displayed at the Chelmsford Crematorium’s funeral today in tribute of Jimmy Greaves, former striker
The casket is taken inside before the funeral at Chelmsford Crematorium (Essex) this afternoon
After a long campaign for his England achievements of 1966 to be recognised, Greaves finally received a World Cup winners’ medal in 2009; five years later he sold it in an auction at Sotheby’s for £44,000.
Greaves had several health issues in his later years, including a minor stroke which he suffered in 1992. He eventually recovered.
However, he suffered a severe stroke in May 2015 that left him in unconsciousness for six days. He was then admitted to intensive care and remained in a wheelchair the rest of his life.