Jimmy Armfield was a distinguished English footballer, manager, and broadcaster. Born in 1935, Denton, Lancashire, he moved to Blackpool during World War II, a town closely tied to his footballing legacy. Armfield spent his entire professional playing career with Blackpool FC, making 627 appearances between 1954 and 1971 as a right-back. Known for his defensive skill and leadership, he captained the club for a decade. Internationally, he earned 43 caps for England from 1959 to 1966, captaining the national team 15 times. He was part of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning squad but did not play due to injury.
After retiring from playing, Armfield became a manager. He led Bolton Wanderers from 1971 to 1974, securing the Third Division title in the 1972–73 season. Later, he managed Leeds United from 1974 to 1978, guiding them to the European Cup final in 1975. Following his managerial career, Armfield transitioned to broadcasting, becoming a respected football pundit for BBC Radio Five Live. His insightful commentary made him a beloved figure in football media. He was honored with an OBE in 2000 and a CBE in 2010. Blackpool awarded him the freedom of the town in 2003, and a statue in his honor was unveiled at Bloomfield Road in 2011.
Armfield also dedicated time to charitable causes, including involvement with the National Football Museum and local initiatives in Lancashire. Despite his many accolades, he remained modest and committed to the sport he loved. He passed away in January 2018, leaving a legacy as not just a footballing great but a true gentleman of the game. Jimmy Armfield is remembered as a dedicated one-club player, national team leader, successful manager, and influential voice in football media.
If that’s not enough, he also wrote a column for the Gazette. Artist Matt Bishop created a mural of Armfield in 2022, which can be seen in another timeline post. Images of the mural and the statue it faces are shown below.
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General view of tributes left at the Jimmy Armfield statue ahead of his funeral cortege which passed through Bloomfield Road in Blackpool on 8 February 2018.
Former England and Blackpool footballer, the late Jimmy Armfield
