Jimmy Armfield posing in his England kit.

Sir Bobby Charlton's tribute to Jimmy Armfield

Monday 22 January 2018 14:36

Everybody at Manchester United is saddened by the news of Jimmy Armfield’s death and club ambassador Sir Bobby Charlton has written the following statement…

“I am deeply saddened by the death of Jimmy Armfield.

"As an opponent, team-mate and friend he was, without doubt, one of the most honest and genuine gentlemen I had the good fortune to meet.

"I first got to know Jimmy during our respective national service, when we played in the same army sides. Little did I know then our paths would cross so often and it is still a privilege to think I played for Manchester United in Jimmy’s final match for Blackpool in 1971.

"As one of the first overlapping full-backs he was always a dangerous opponent. Little wonder he was regarded as the best right-back in Europe in the early 1960s.
Remembering Jimmy Armfield
Sir Bobby Charlton says

“As an opponent, team-mate and friend he was, without doubt, one of the most honest and genuine gentlemen I had the good fortune to meet."

"I was fortunate to play alongside him at the 1962 World Cup and although he didn’t play in 1966, he was never less than a positive influence on the squad as we went on to become world champions for the first and only time.

"However, I knew the man as well as the player and it was not by chance that we stayed in touch for so long after we had both retired. I have missed listening to his authoritative radio commentaries and now I will miss seeing Mr Blackpool around the scene.

"Lady Norma and I send our condolences to Jimmy’s wife Anne, sons Duncan and John and the rest of their family.”