Tottenham and Chelsea legend, Jimmy Greaves, has died aged 81, it has been confirmed.
Greaves was regarded as one of the best forward’s to ever grace the English game, and was part of the England side which won the World Cup in 1966.
A statement on the Tottenham club website confirmed that Greaves passed away in the early hours of Sunday, September 19.
Jimmy Greaves Dies Aged 81
Tottenham’s Record Goalscorer
After beginning his career at Chelsea, Greaves is best remembered for his time at Tottenham.
The 81-year-old is the club’s record goalscorer, having scored 266 goals in 379 appearances. Harry Kane is second to Greaves with 223 goals.
Greaves enjoyed a successful spell at White Hart Lane, winning the FA Cup in 1962 and 1967, as well as the European Cup Winners Cup in 1963 and the Community Shield.
Wherever the forward went, success, and goals, followed. Beginning his career at Stamford Bridge, Greaves scored 132 goals in just 169 appearances for the Blues.
After a brief spell with AC Milan, he then returned to London to join Tottenham, before joining West Ham United and Barnet to round off his career.
In total, Greaves scored 447 appearances in 666 appearances.
A statement on the Tottenham club website said: “We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of the great Jimmy Greaves, not just Tottenham Hotspur’s record goalscorer but the finest marksman this country has ever seen.
“Throughout his wonderful playing career, Jimmy’s strike rate was phenomenal. 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 just eight League Cup ties and nine in 14 European matches.
“The 37 league goals that he netted in the 1962/63 season remains to this day our record by any player in a single season.
“Football will not see his like again.
“We extend our sincere condolences to his wife Irene, their four children, 10 grandchildren and great grandchildren.”
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