It's such a long time ago since Jimmy Greaves played that it's understandable that most fans who never saw him in his heyday cannot appreciate what an incredible talent he was. If all his games and goals had been recorded and preserved in HD you would all be struck by what a master goal scorer he was. His coolness and accuracy in front of goal was his greatest attribute. With a feint and a shimmy he would wrong foot and bamboozle the best defenders before calmly putting the ball in the net. He made it look so easy which is what all the greats do.
He didn't have the athleticism of Ronaldo or the technique of Messi but when he got into top gear with the ball at his feet he seemed to be skating over the pitch with the ball glued to his feet. Brilliant balance and deceptive speed left defenders in his wake. He was captivating to watch.
Most of my uncles and their mates were Arsenal supporters back then but if they couldn't make it to away games they would all go to WHL just to watch Greaves. They still get misty eyed when they talk about him.
I would suggest reading Jimmy Greaves Wikipedia page as it's a good read and lists all the goalscoring records he smashed that, as this article alludes to, still stand. Nearly fifty years later and two of the greatest ever players are only now zeroing in on his stats should tell even the most ignorant football fan that what Greaves achieved in goalscoring terms was truly remarkable.
greaves was quite simply a magnificent footballer and a prolific goal scorer.
Most would agree
comment by Park Lane Geezer (U10205)
posted 5 minutes ago
It's such a long time ago since Jimmy Greaves played that it's understandable that most fans who never saw him in his heyday cannot appreciate what an incredible talent he was. If all his games and goals had been recorded and preserved in HD you would all be struck by what a master goal scorer he was. His coolness and accuracy in front of goal was his greatest attribute. With a feint and a shimmy he would wrong foot and bamboozle the best defenders before calmly putting the ball in the net. He made it look so easy which is what all the greats do.
He didn't have the athleticism of Ronaldo or the technique of Messi but when he got into top gear with the ball at his feet he seemed to be skating over the pitch with the ball glued to his feet. Brilliant balance and deceptive speed left defenders in his wake. He was captivating to watch.
Most of my uncles and their mates were Arsenal supporters back then but if they couldn't make it to away games they would all go to WHL just to watch Greaves. They still get misty eyed when they talk about him.
I would suggest reading Jimmy Greaves Wikipedia page as it's a good read and lists all the goalscoring records he smashed that, as this article alludes to, still stand. Nearly fifty years later and two of the greatest ever players are only now zeroing in on his stats should tell even the most ignorant football fan that what Greaves achieved in goalscoring terms was truly remarkable.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Nice comment PLG,
Nearly fifty years later and two of the greatest ever players are only now zeroing in on his stats should tell even the most ignorant football fan that what Greaves achieved in goalscoring terms was truly remarkable.
-----------------------------------------------
No point though comparing stats across distant eras. Some eras are higher scoring than others. You were smashing teams in the league 13-2 and 10-4 the last time you won the league in '60/61, just before signing Greaves.
Nevermind Messi and Ronaldo who are certainly totally different class (don't care what anyone says, tbh - they just are). Henry was top scorer in the English division in '03/04 with the average goals by all 20 teams being 50 goals. 12 teams out of 20 in that season scored less than that mean. By contrast, only 1 team out of 24 (bottom Leyton Orient) scored less than 50 in '62/63, Greaves' most prolific season. How rational would it be to simply compare across eras, Henry's goals record with Greaves' record?
Cheers Spurgle5
I appreciate very much that you posted this article as I strongly believe that Jimmys legacy should never be overlooked or forgotten particularly by all us Spurs fans.
One question for you Sheriff. How do you explain that Greaves records still stand after fifty years? Ronaldo and Messi will no doubt eclipse his stats. Two of the greatest players who ever played but we have had to wait fifty years for anyone to do so.
Sheriff, you have your opinion and others have theirs. You don't have to insult others to reinforce yours, it should stand on its own merits.
comment by Park Lane Geezer (U10205)
posted 12 minutes ago
Cheers Spurgle5
I appreciate very much that you posted this article as I strongly believe that Jimmys legacy should never be overlooked or forgotten particularly by all us Spurs fans.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
No problem PLG, i thought it was an interesting article. What seems to have been lost on some is it also recognises the achievements of Ronaldo and Messi.
One question for you Sheriff. How do you explain that Greaves records still stand after fifty years? Ronaldo and Messi will no doubt eclipse his stats. Two of the greatest players who ever played but we have had to wait fifty years for anyone to do so.
------------------------------------------
I'd say it's just the evolution of the game. The likes of Gerd Muller and Pele and Di Stefano in that era scored tons too and had insane numbers. It's harder to rack up those numbers in the modern game for me. I don't think Greaves is anywhere near as talented as a prime Brazilian Ronaldo, but Ronaldo (even factoring the injuries that destroyed him) wouldn't have touched those numbers. That Messi and Ronaldo can even get close shows how special they are. They've also had less defined striking roles than Greaves. Messi started as a wide player, played about 3 peak years as a CF, then returned to a wide role. At his peak as a striker, Messi plundered 60 league goals and 73 in all competitions in one season. That's pretty nuts. Ronaldo up to his mid-20's was a winger and then has played most of his career as a wide forward.
Staggering stats from Sir Jimmy, when you consider the standard of pitches he was playing on compared to today
Sheriff, you have your opinion and others have theirs. You don't have to insult others to reinforce yours, it should stand on its own merits.
-------------------------------------------------
Who have I insulted?
Staggering stats from Sir Jimmy, when you consider the standard of pitches he was playing on compared to today
----------------------------------------------------
This stuff in a bit tired: bog pitches, heavy boots, cement balls and all that......while modern players have it all rosy. Yet strikers in those days had no problems posting better numbers than modern strikers. How come?
comment by Sheriff John Brown - bring back David Dein (U7482)
posted 9 minutes ago
Sheriff, you have your opinion and others have theirs. You don't have to insult others to reinforce yours, it should stand on its own merits.
-------------------------------------------------
Who have I insulted?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I deleted the comment, can't remember who it was.
comment by spurgle5 (U4336)
posted 48 seconds ago
comment by Sheriff John Brown - bring back David Dein (U7482)
posted 9 minutes ago
Sheriff, you have your opinion and others have theirs. You don't have to insult others to reinforce yours, it should stand on its own merits.
-------------------------------------------------
Who have I insulted?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I deleted the comment, can't remember who it was.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm not sure telling someone to "fack off" is an insult. Though I guess it depends on how sensitive the offended party is.
Sheriff. You make some valid points which I won't try to disprove as these are subjective points and we are all entitled to our opinions. What I would say however is that every era will have their top players and some are better than others. The really top players would be able to, in my opinion, be able to stand out in any era. Just out of past British players Best, Charlton, Moore, Greaves, Dalglish, add your own, would all be top players if they were playing today.
In thirty, forty years time there will be young fans saying Ronaldo and Messi were playing in an easier era and therefore their stats and skill levels were easier to accomplish. That would be quite silly to us who have been fortunate enough to have seen them play and we would just give those yet to be born kids a knowing smile and gentle pitiful look.
Sheriff,
you make some interesting and valid points, hard to disagree with a lot of what you say. I guess i'm just asking for some recognition of the opinions of others without the need for dismissive comments.
Messi is beyond comparison.
It's weird though that after destroying the division in '61, you guys bought the best striker in the league in a record deal and only went backward. Greaves' career is a tad short on laurels, both team and individual, and that's one of the reasons he won't be remembered (relatively) like other greats from the era like Di Stefano, Pele, Best, Gerd Mueller, Eusebio etc. I mean, the guy went to the '66 World Cup as one of England's stars and the unremarkable Geoff Hurst usurped him as a national hero. Greaves scored just once in 7 tournament matches for England. Couldn't seem to attract success. Hell, the only league title he could have won in his career, he was sold mid-season by a Milan team that went on to lift the league that season. Guy was cursed.
Messi is beyond comparison.
-----------------------------------------
Tbf, I probably overreacted in my first few comments here, but that comparison wound me up. Greaves is a great player and you could compare him with England and English league greats, or even a peer of his like Gerd Mueller, but he doesn't belong in any kind of comparison with Messi.
comment by Sheriff John Brown - bring back David Dein (U7482)
posted 5 minutes ago
It's weird though that after destroying the division in '61, you guys bought the best striker in the league in a record deal and only went backward. Greaves' career is a tad short on laurels, both team and individual, and that's one of the reasons he won't be remembered (relatively) like other greats from the era like Di Stefano, Pele, Best, Gerd Mueller, Eusebio etc. I mean, the guy went to the '66 World Cup as one of England's stars and the unremarkable Geoff Hurst usurped him as a national hero. Greaves scored just once in 7 tournament matches for England. Couldn't seem to attract success. Hell, the only league title he could have won in his career, he was sold mid-season by a Milan team that went on to lift the league that season. Guy was cursed.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Spurs obviously rubbed off on him.
comment by Galvs...Friend of Reason. (U10415)
posted 5 hours, 33 minutes ago
We get it...you're mocking morespurs......(have been ever since) it's just a bit in poor taste as you'll all be back with the faux wishes when he finally does pass away.
Perhaps it's because he's our legend that it seems that way...wonder how you would react if he was one of yours etc....
-----------------------------------------------------------
I think you'll find that he's also a Chelsea legend - seeing as he came through our youth setup and scored over 120 goals in 157 games for us!
So any wishes from Chelsea fans will be far from faux!
Sheriff.............Please get your facts right before commenting.
Greaves left Milan because he was homesick not because he was kicked out or not wanted. He scored 9 goals in 13 games for AC Milan in what was then a totally defensive league.
As for England, his record is better than anyone's, much superior to Ronney's and Charlson's, who had to play in twice as many matches to get anywhere near Greaves tally.
He was ruled out of the England 1966 team by injury and Ramsey did not think he had recovered to play in the Semi or the actual final.
Chelsea 157 (124)
1961 A.C. Milan 12 (9)
1961–1970 Tottenham Hotspur 321 (220)
1970–1971 West Ham United 38 (13)
1975–1976 Brentwood
1976–1977 Chelmsford City 38[2] (20)
1977–1979 Barnet
England U23 12 (13)
1959–1967[4] England 57 (44)
He only played in two World Cups, 1962 &1966, and the latter he ended up injured.
He was a phenomenon as a goal scorer and deserves to be recognised as such.
Ronney's.................Rooney
By the way, Nicholson paid £99,999 for JG, he did not want to burden him with the mantle of being the first £100,000 player.
Sign in if you want to comment
Jimmy Greaves
Page 3 of 6
6
posted on 1/3/17
It's such a long time ago since Jimmy Greaves played that it's understandable that most fans who never saw him in his heyday cannot appreciate what an incredible talent he was. If all his games and goals had been recorded and preserved in HD you would all be struck by what a master goal scorer he was. His coolness and accuracy in front of goal was his greatest attribute. With a feint and a shimmy he would wrong foot and bamboozle the best defenders before calmly putting the ball in the net. He made it look so easy which is what all the greats do.
He didn't have the athleticism of Ronaldo or the technique of Messi but when he got into top gear with the ball at his feet he seemed to be skating over the pitch with the ball glued to his feet. Brilliant balance and deceptive speed left defenders in his wake. He was captivating to watch.
Most of my uncles and their mates were Arsenal supporters back then but if they couldn't make it to away games they would all go to WHL just to watch Greaves. They still get misty eyed when they talk about him.
I would suggest reading Jimmy Greaves Wikipedia page as it's a good read and lists all the goalscoring records he smashed that, as this article alludes to, still stand. Nearly fifty years later and two of the greatest ever players are only now zeroing in on his stats should tell even the most ignorant football fan that what Greaves achieved in goalscoring terms was truly remarkable.
posted on 1/3/17
greaves was quite simply a magnificent footballer and a prolific goal scorer.
Most would agree
posted on 1/3/17
comment by Park Lane Geezer (U10205)
posted 5 minutes ago
It's such a long time ago since Jimmy Greaves played that it's understandable that most fans who never saw him in his heyday cannot appreciate what an incredible talent he was. If all his games and goals had been recorded and preserved in HD you would all be struck by what a master goal scorer he was. His coolness and accuracy in front of goal was his greatest attribute. With a feint and a shimmy he would wrong foot and bamboozle the best defenders before calmly putting the ball in the net. He made it look so easy which is what all the greats do.
He didn't have the athleticism of Ronaldo or the technique of Messi but when he got into top gear with the ball at his feet he seemed to be skating over the pitch with the ball glued to his feet. Brilliant balance and deceptive speed left defenders in his wake. He was captivating to watch.
Most of my uncles and their mates were Arsenal supporters back then but if they couldn't make it to away games they would all go to WHL just to watch Greaves. They still get misty eyed when they talk about him.
I would suggest reading Jimmy Greaves Wikipedia page as it's a good read and lists all the goalscoring records he smashed that, as this article alludes to, still stand. Nearly fifty years later and two of the greatest ever players are only now zeroing in on his stats should tell even the most ignorant football fan that what Greaves achieved in goalscoring terms was truly remarkable.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Nice comment PLG,
posted on 1/3/17
Nearly fifty years later and two of the greatest ever players are only now zeroing in on his stats should tell even the most ignorant football fan that what Greaves achieved in goalscoring terms was truly remarkable.
-----------------------------------------------
No point though comparing stats across distant eras. Some eras are higher scoring than others. You were smashing teams in the league 13-2 and 10-4 the last time you won the league in '60/61, just before signing Greaves.
Nevermind Messi and Ronaldo who are certainly totally different class (don't care what anyone says, tbh - they just are). Henry was top scorer in the English division in '03/04 with the average goals by all 20 teams being 50 goals. 12 teams out of 20 in that season scored less than that mean. By contrast, only 1 team out of 24 (bottom Leyton Orient) scored less than 50 in '62/63, Greaves' most prolific season. How rational would it be to simply compare across eras, Henry's goals record with Greaves' record?
posted on 1/3/17
Cheers Spurgle5
I appreciate very much that you posted this article as I strongly believe that Jimmys legacy should never be overlooked or forgotten particularly by all us Spurs fans.
posted on 1/3/17
One question for you Sheriff. How do you explain that Greaves records still stand after fifty years? Ronaldo and Messi will no doubt eclipse his stats. Two of the greatest players who ever played but we have had to wait fifty years for anyone to do so.
posted on 1/3/17
Sheriff, you have your opinion and others have theirs. You don't have to insult others to reinforce yours, it should stand on its own merits.
posted on 1/3/17
comment by Park Lane Geezer (U10205)
posted 12 minutes ago
Cheers Spurgle5
I appreciate very much that you posted this article as I strongly believe that Jimmys legacy should never be overlooked or forgotten particularly by all us Spurs fans.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
No problem PLG, i thought it was an interesting article. What seems to have been lost on some is it also recognises the achievements of Ronaldo and Messi.
posted on 1/3/17
One question for you Sheriff. How do you explain that Greaves records still stand after fifty years? Ronaldo and Messi will no doubt eclipse his stats. Two of the greatest players who ever played but we have had to wait fifty years for anyone to do so.
------------------------------------------
I'd say it's just the evolution of the game. The likes of Gerd Muller and Pele and Di Stefano in that era scored tons too and had insane numbers. It's harder to rack up those numbers in the modern game for me. I don't think Greaves is anywhere near as talented as a prime Brazilian Ronaldo, but Ronaldo (even factoring the injuries that destroyed him) wouldn't have touched those numbers. That Messi and Ronaldo can even get close shows how special they are. They've also had less defined striking roles than Greaves. Messi started as a wide player, played about 3 peak years as a CF, then returned to a wide role. At his peak as a striker, Messi plundered 60 league goals and 73 in all competitions in one season. That's pretty nuts. Ronaldo up to his mid-20's was a winger and then has played most of his career as a wide forward.
posted on 1/3/17
Staggering stats from Sir Jimmy, when you consider the standard of pitches he was playing on compared to today
posted on 1/3/17
Sheriff, you have your opinion and others have theirs. You don't have to insult others to reinforce yours, it should stand on its own merits.
-------------------------------------------------
Who have I insulted?
posted on 1/3/17
Staggering stats from Sir Jimmy, when you consider the standard of pitches he was playing on compared to today
----------------------------------------------------
This stuff in a bit tired: bog pitches, heavy boots, cement balls and all that......while modern players have it all rosy. Yet strikers in those days had no problems posting better numbers than modern strikers. How come?
posted on 1/3/17
comment by Sheriff John Brown - bring back David Dein (U7482)
posted 9 minutes ago
Sheriff, you have your opinion and others have theirs. You don't have to insult others to reinforce yours, it should stand on its own merits.
-------------------------------------------------
Who have I insulted?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I deleted the comment, can't remember who it was.
posted on 1/3/17
comment by spurgle5 (U4336)
posted 48 seconds ago
comment by Sheriff John Brown - bring back David Dein (U7482)
posted 9 minutes ago
Sheriff, you have your opinion and others have theirs. You don't have to insult others to reinforce yours, it should stand on its own merits.
-------------------------------------------------
Who have I insulted?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I deleted the comment, can't remember who it was.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm not sure telling someone to "fack off" is an insult. Though I guess it depends on how sensitive the offended party is.
posted on 1/3/17
Sheriff. You make some valid points which I won't try to disprove as these are subjective points and we are all entitled to our opinions. What I would say however is that every era will have their top players and some are better than others. The really top players would be able to, in my opinion, be able to stand out in any era. Just out of past British players Best, Charlton, Moore, Greaves, Dalglish, add your own, would all be top players if they were playing today.
In thirty, forty years time there will be young fans saying Ronaldo and Messi were playing in an easier era and therefore their stats and skill levels were easier to accomplish. That would be quite silly to us who have been fortunate enough to have seen them play and we would just give those yet to be born kids a knowing smile and gentle pitiful look.
posted on 1/3/17
Sheriff,
you make some interesting and valid points, hard to disagree with a lot of what you say. I guess i'm just asking for some recognition of the opinions of others without the need for dismissive comments.
posted on 1/3/17
Messi is beyond comparison.
posted on 1/3/17
It's weird though that after destroying the division in '61, you guys bought the best striker in the league in a record deal and only went backward. Greaves' career is a tad short on laurels, both team and individual, and that's one of the reasons he won't be remembered (relatively) like other greats from the era like Di Stefano, Pele, Best, Gerd Mueller, Eusebio etc. I mean, the guy went to the '66 World Cup as one of England's stars and the unremarkable Geoff Hurst usurped him as a national hero. Greaves scored just once in 7 tournament matches for England. Couldn't seem to attract success. Hell, the only league title he could have won in his career, he was sold mid-season by a Milan team that went on to lift the league that season. Guy was cursed.
posted on 1/3/17
Messi is beyond comparison.
-----------------------------------------
Tbf, I probably overreacted in my first few comments here, but that comparison wound me up. Greaves is a great player and you could compare him with England and English league greats, or even a peer of his like Gerd Mueller, but he doesn't belong in any kind of comparison with Messi.
posted on 1/3/17
comment by Sheriff John Brown - bring back David Dein (U7482)
posted 5 minutes ago
It's weird though that after destroying the division in '61, you guys bought the best striker in the league in a record deal and only went backward. Greaves' career is a tad short on laurels, both team and individual, and that's one of the reasons he won't be remembered (relatively) like other greats from the era like Di Stefano, Pele, Best, Gerd Mueller, Eusebio etc. I mean, the guy went to the '66 World Cup as one of England's stars and the unremarkable Geoff Hurst usurped him as a national hero. Greaves scored just once in 7 tournament matches for England. Couldn't seem to attract success. Hell, the only league title he could have won in his career, he was sold mid-season by a Milan team that went on to lift the league that season. Guy was cursed.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Spurs obviously rubbed off on him.
posted on 1/3/17
comment by Galvs...Friend of Reason. (U10415)
posted 5 hours, 33 minutes ago
We get it...you're mocking morespurs......(have been ever since) it's just a bit in poor taste as you'll all be back with the faux wishes when he finally does pass away.
Perhaps it's because he's our legend that it seems that way...wonder how you would react if he was one of yours etc....
-----------------------------------------------------------
I think you'll find that he's also a Chelsea legend - seeing as he came through our youth setup and scored over 120 goals in 157 games for us!
So any wishes from Chelsea fans will be far from faux!
posted on 2/3/17
Sheriff.............Please get your facts right before commenting.
Greaves left Milan because he was homesick not because he was kicked out or not wanted. He scored 9 goals in 13 games for AC Milan in what was then a totally defensive league.
As for England, his record is better than anyone's, much superior to Ronney's and Charlson's, who had to play in twice as many matches to get anywhere near Greaves tally.
He was ruled out of the England 1966 team by injury and Ramsey did not think he had recovered to play in the Semi or the actual final.
Chelsea 157 (124)
1961 A.C. Milan 12 (9)
1961–1970 Tottenham Hotspur 321 (220)
1970–1971 West Ham United 38 (13)
1975–1976 Brentwood
1976–1977 Chelmsford City 38[2] (20)
1977–1979 Barnet
posted on 2/3/17
England U23 12 (13)
1959–1967[4] England 57 (44)
He only played in two World Cups, 1962 &1966, and the latter he ended up injured.
He was a phenomenon as a goal scorer and deserves to be recognised as such.
posted on 2/3/17
Ronney's.................Rooney
posted on 2/3/17
By the way, Nicholson paid £99,999 for JG, he did not want to burden him with the mantle of being the first £100,000 player.
Page 3 of 6
6