MEMBERS of the Isle of Wight's Tottenham Hotspurs supporters club, the Vectis Spurs, have expressed deep sadness for the loss of club legend Jimmy Greaves, who has died today (Sunday), aged 81.
During an illustrious playing career, the striker scored 382 times in 579 club appearances and scored 44 times for England in 57 appearances for his country, which included six hat-tricks for the Three Lions.
Greaves was part of England's 1966 World Cup winning squad, and remains fourth on the country's top goalscorer list, but who by far hs the best strike rate among them.
The 366 goals he scored in England and Italy's top flights were a record for the top five European leagues — a record he eventually gave up to Cristiano Ronaldo four years ago.
"It is with great sadness that all at Vectis Spurs learnt today of the sad passing of Jimmy Greaves — a true club legend," said Vectis Spurs secretary Pete Skinner.
A naturally gifted goalscorer, Greaves netted a club record 266 times in 371 appearances for Tottenham, between 1961 and 1970.
"However, the statistics, as is often the case, do not begin to tell the whole story," said Skinner.
"Jimmy was often regarded as simply a goal-poacher and, indeed, a lot of his goals were scored in or around the six-yard box, but he was also capable of scoring brilliant individual goals — shots from outside the box and headers.
"His superb balance, close ball control and innate gift of being in the right place at the right time served him well throughout a career which started at Chelsea, then saw him spend a brief spell in Italy with AC Milan, before joining Spurs for the major part of his footballing life.
"After leaving Spurs, he joined West Ham during the twilight of his league playing days.
"It is noteworthy the great man scored on his debut for all the above clubs, as well as on his international debuts for England at both U23 and full level.
"After his playing career came to an end, Jimmy went on to become a journalist and TV favourite.
"In addition to his punditry, in which he exhibited a wry sense of humour, he starred with former Liverpool great, Ian St John, in ITV's Saint and Greavsie show, which ran from 1985 until 1992, in a hilarious send-up of the game, during which Jimmy entertained fans off the pitch almost as brilliantly as he had done on it.
"In later life, he belatedly received two honours — namely a World Cup winners' medal in 2009, when it was decided to honour the whole of the 1966 World Cup squad, and an MBE in the New Year's Honours List .
"The game of football has lost one of the greatest goal scorers in its history. RIP Jimmy — you will always be our hero."
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