Source: SNAPPA
Support pours in for Jimmy Greaves after news of his stroke
Former England and Tottenham striker Jimmy Greaves is in intensive care after suffering a severe stroke on Sunday.
A statement from Greaves’ family confirmed that the 75-year-old had been taken ill, having recovered from a minor stroke in 2012.
Greaves scored 44 goals in 57 England games, the fourth-highest total of all time, and also scored 266 goals in 379 matches for Spurs.
Everyone at the Club wishes Jimmy Greaves a speedy recovery after he suffered a stroke yesterday. pic.twitter.com/TTf29dYdO1
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) May 4, 2015
A statement issued on behalf of Greaves’ family read: “Football legend Jimmy Greaves suffered a severe stroke on Sunday May 3, and is in intensive care in hospital.
“His wife, Irene, and four children have asked for privacy during what is a worrying time for the family.
“They will issue a bulletin on his condition when it is appropriate.
“England’s greatest ever goal scorer was 75 on February 20, and has been working regularly on the personal appearances circuit in harness with his friend and agent Terry Baker.
“Jimmy had a minor stroke in 2012, but appeared to have made a full recovery. He was due to be inducted into the Tottenham Hotspur Hall of Fame on May 13 at a sell-out ceremony at White Hart Lane.
“This is all we wish to say at the present time.”
Hope Jimmy Greaves is recovering well in hospital after suffering a severe stroke Had the pleasure of working with him lately Great guy.
— John Hartson (@JohnHartson10) May 4, 2015
Greaves is due to be inducted into the Spurs Hall of Fame a week on Wednesday.
The 75-year-old spent nine seasons at Tottenham during one of the most successful periods of the club’s history.
Greaves scored the opening goal in Tottenham’s FA Cup final victory over Burnley in 1962 and he also found the net in European Cup Winners’ Cup final against Atletico Madrid, which the London club won 5-1.
Love and best wishes to Jimmy Greaves and family. Get well soon legend!
— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) May 4, 2015
Wishing Jimmy Greaves a speedy recovery. Great player and a better person
— osvaldo ardiles (@osvaldooardiles) May 4, 2015
Greaves started his career at Chelsea, where he broke into the first-team squad after scoring 114 goals for the youth team.
Once he had been promoted to the seniors, he scored 132 goals in 169 games.
All at Chelsea are thinking of former Blue Jimmy Greaves and his family at this time. We wish him a full and swift recovery.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 4, 2015
Greaves then spent an unhappy six months at AC Milan before returning to London to join Spurs.
After nine years at Tottenham he moved across the capital to West Ham before seeing out his career lower down the leagues following a battle with alcoholism.
After retiring from the game, Greaves co-hosted the popular Saturday lunchtime football show Saint and Greavsie alongside former Liverpool forward Ian St John.
In the hope that Jimmy Greaves, a brilliant player who was always fantastically sporting about FFL, will be well: https://t.co/vvC4XJD67Z
— David Baddiel (@Baddiel) May 4, 2015
Greaves’ former England team-mate Sir Geoff Hurst added his best wishes:
Thinking of my friend and one of our greats this morning, @jimmy_greaves. Wishing him all the best and hoping for a speedy recovery.
— Sir Geoff Hurst (@TheGeoffHurst) May 4, 2015
As did former Spurs team-mate Graham Roberts.
Here's Wishing @jimmy_greaves legend s speedy recovery
— Graham Roberts (@GrahamRoberts4) May 4, 2015
We have had thousands of get well messages inc one from a devastated Ian St John. Thank you to everyone for your thoughts at this time
— Jimmy Greaves (@jimmy_greaves) May 4, 2015