Source: FOOTYMAD
Jimmy Armfied Tribute Evening
Another succesful evening was held at a packed Layton Institute last night to raise money for the Jimmy Armfield Statue fund and together with the Promotion at Preston night held at the club last April they have raised between them over £10,000. John Cross, Mick Page, Gerry Wolstenholme, Peter Gillatt and the team that helped organised the Jimmy Armfied tribute evening last night were toasting its success as the amount raised by this and a previous event topped a staggering £10,000 towards the Jimmy Armfield Statue fund.The Institute was a sell-out and the £10 a head evening which included a hot-pot supper before MC Tony Parr introduced the guests to a list of former players and as always at these events it drew a raft of autograph hunters to their respective tables the appearance of John "Chopper" McPhee especially was warmly received in view of his ill-health. Blackpool Fc Steve Thompson was also present along with Karl Oyston and his partnerTony Parr set the evening off and he explained the statue's progress including the work the club have also done to help with teh project and then he introducing the short tribute film before local councillor Robert Wynne gave a talk about Jimmy's role in the town and a list of local bodies that Jim is not only involved with but has also given his free time to support and about the time when Jim was given the freedom of the borough a few years ago for which he remains the only living person to have received that honour. Jim was then invited on stage and interviewed by Chissy and described his thoughts on meeting face to face his statue which he saw recently on a trip to Andover. Jim also let slip that he was going to be the organist at Karl's wedding and that he didn't come cheap! Following this all the ex-players who had supported the event were invited on stage for a group photo and were interviewed by Chissy in turn. Some funny anecdotes were shared aout Jimmy and they all received a splendid reception. Finally the auction and raffle helped raised a fantastic £4000 on the night just showing how not only effective are these evenings but the generousity of all those who attended.
