JIMMY Armfield wielded a microphone just as he’d maneuvered a football. With ease, with skill and, above all, a sense of perspective.
For Armfield, who died this week aged 82, football was never a matter of life and death.
On the Blackpool beaches, where he’d played as a boy, to the World Cup finals he watched as a BBC pundit, it remained forever a game.
During a 17-year playing career with Blackpool and England, triumph and disappointment were treated as bedfellows.
In 1966, Armfield broke his toe on the eve of the World Cup. A favourite of Alf Ramsey, he’d captained England earlier in the year but watched the entire tournament from the stands.
Asked how it felt to watch Bobby Moore lift the Jules Rimet, Armfield insisted it was better that England had won.
“Too many people rhapsodise about ifs and buts,” he said. “You’re in or you’re out. That’s it.”
As a commentator, criticism was respectful and invariably constructive. Nobody ever squeezed a trite judgement or trashy soundbite from the softly-spoken Lancastrian.
“What I loved about Jimmy was that he’d never say something controversial just to make a name for himself,” said John Murray, his friend and colleague at the BBC. “His was a voice of great authority but also of dignity and respect.”
Armfield personified those qualities. He captained his country 15 times, managed Leeds to a European Cup final and single-handedly chose an England boss. Along the way, he fell out with nobody.“Jimmy had such a wonderful way about him, whoever he was speaking to,” said former Blackpool boss Ian Holloway, who grew to know Armfield well during his glorious three-year stint at Bloomfield Road.
Engaged
“He could have had a cup of tea with the Queen and fitted right in. Or he could have been down the café with the locals.
“It wouldn’t have mattered with Jimmy. He engaged with everyone.”
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة January 28, 2018 من The Football League Paper.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة January 28, 2018 من The Football League Paper.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
LUKE BOOSTED BY WALES ACE LIAM
Swans bid to mark new era in style...
MATT'S DELIGHT OVER RECORD
WYCOMBE boss Wanderers Matt Bloomfield hailed his history-makers after victory at Lincoln City.
TON-UP IAN ENJOYS HIS SPECIAL WIN
AN Evatt described his 100th win as Bolton boss as very special, although he needed Aaron Collins' injurytime goal to bring up the three figures.
DONS LACK A CLINICAL EDGE AS SADDLERS GRAB POINTS
NATHAN Lowe's strike inspired promotion-chasing Walsall to victory over AFC Wimbledon at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
SUB GRIMES IS IN-SPIRED TO HEAD THE WINNER
CAPTAIN Jamie Grimes headed in a late winner for Chesterfield after a game of very few chances appeared destined to remain goalless.`
COBBLERS TEST IN TROPHY FOR POSH
HOLDERS Peterborough United have been drawn against fellow League One side Northampton Town in the Round of 32 of the newly-named Vertu Trophy.
HORNETS REMINDED OF GRAY'S BRILLIANCE
WAYNE Rooney expressed his delight as Plymouth extended their unbeaten league home run to six after Andre Gray's last-gasp leveller.
MARTI DOUBTING JOB AFTER DRAW
Rangers home run continues
BIG MAC'S ON TARGET TO SEE OFF THE TIGERS
LUTON boss Rob Edwards felt it was a very good day at the office as his team turned in a gritty performance to beat Hull.
Rohl confident Owls
DANNY Rohl said getting results is the only thing missing as his Owls were held at home by Cardiff.