Jimmy Greaves: The Greedy Goal-Grabber of Yesteryear
Biography of Jimmy Greaves: The Unstoppable Goalscorer
Early Life and Rise to Stardom
Born in East Ham, London, in 1940, Jimmy Greaves quickly emerged as a prodigious talent. By 17, he was scoring for Chelsea, netting 132 goals in 169 games—a record that still dazzles.
Legendary Career
- Tottenham Hotspur Glory: Joined in 1961, leading them to FA Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup triumphs.
- England's Finest: Scored 44 goals in 57 caps, though 1966 World Cup injury denied him a final appearance.
Personal Struggles
'Jimmy had the gift of making scoring look effortless—but off the pitch, battles with alcohol were his toughest opponent,' recalled teammate Steve Perryman.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1957 | Chelsea debut at 17 |
| 1961 | Joined Spurs for £99,999 |
| 1971 | Retired with 357 league goals |
Legacy and Later Years
Greaves became a beloved TV pundit, his wit as sharp as his finishing. Despite a stroke in 2015, his spirit endured.
"Greavsie was pure magic—no striker since has matched his instinct."—Gary Lineker
Final thought: Jimmy Greaves wasn't just a footballer; he was poetry in motion.