Jimmy Greaves

One of England's greatest strikers and Tottenham's second-highest all-time scorer.

James Peter Greaves (20 February 1940 – 19 September 2021) was an English forward widely considered one of the finest strikers and greatest English players ever. He sits fifth on England’s all-time scoring list with 44 international goals, a haul that includes a national record of six hat-tricks. At club level, he is Tottenham Hotspur’s second-highest scorer and holds the record for most goals in English top-flight history with 357. No other player topped the First Division’s scoring charts more often—Greaves did it six times. He finished third in the 1963 Ballon d’Or voting and is enshrined in the English Football Hall of Fame.

Greaves started his professional career at Chelsea in 1957, having been scouted as a teenager and signed as an apprentice under manager Ted Drake’s “Drake’s Ducklings.” He impressed immediately, scoring on his First Division debut against Tottenham at age 17. Over four seasons he netted 124 league goals, finishing as the division’s top scorer twice. In 1960–61 he set a club record with 41 league goals, including his 100th career goal at 20 years and 290 days—the youngest to reach that mark. Despite his prolific output, Chelsea struggled, and chairman Joe Mears sold him to AC Milan for £80,000 in April 1961.

His spell in Italy was brief and unsuccessful. By December 1961 he was back in England, joining Tottenham for £99,999. With Spurs he won the FA Cup twice (1961–62 and 1966–67), the Charity Shield twice (1962 and 1967), and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1962–63. He never won a league title, though Spurs finished second in 1962–63. In March 1970 he moved to West Ham United in a player exchange and retired the following year. After a four-year break, he returned to non-league football despite battling alcoholism, playing for Brentwood, Chelmsford City, Barnet, and Woodford Town before retiring for good in 1980.

On the international stage, Greaves scored 13 goals in 12 under-23 appearances and 44 goals in 57 full England caps between 1959 and 1967. He played in the 1962 and 1966 World Cups, but an injury during the group stage of the 1966 tournament cost him his place to Geoff Hurst. With substitutes not yet permitted, Greaves missed the final. England won, but he did not receive a medal until FIFA changed its rules in 2009. He was also part of the squad that finished third at UEFA Euro 1968, though he did not play a minute in the finals.

After retiring, Greaves became a broadcaster, co-hosting Saint and Greavsie with Ian St John from 1985 to 1992. He also appeared regularly on TV-am and worked on ITV sports programmes such as Sporting Triangles (1987–1990).

Quick Facts

Full name: James Peter Greaves
Born: 20 February 1940
Birthplace: Manor Park, Essex, England
Died: 19 September 2021
Place of death: Danbury, Essex, England
Position: Striker
Total caps: 604
Total goals: 395

Facts from the source article.

Did You Know?

Greaves holds the club record for most goals in a single top-flight league season with 37 in 1962-63.
He scored a hat-trick on his first team debut for Tottenham Hotspur in a 5-2 win over Blackpool.

Unprecedented Goalscoring Dominance

James Peter Greaves stands as an unparalleled figure in English football history, primarily defined by his extraordinary ability to find the back of the net. This prolific output saw him finish as the First Division's leading scorer on six separate occasions, a feat unmatched by any other player in the league's history. His efficiency was such that he became the youngest player to reach the century mark for league goals, achieving this milestone at just over 20 years of age while playing for Chelsea.

Beyond his club exploits, Greaves established himself as a national legend, finishing as England's fifth-highest international goalscorer with 44 goals in 57 appearances. Notably, he holds the English record for scoring six hat-tricks for his country. His consistent excellence earned him recognition on the global stage, placing third in the prestigious 1963 Ballon d'Or rankings and securing his induction into the English Football Hall of Fame.

Club Journey from Chelsea to Milan

His final season was particularly historic, where he scored a club-record 41 goals in just 40 games before being sold to AC Milan for £80,000 in April 1961. However, his move to Italy proved unsuccessful; he struggled with the strict training regime imposed by manager Nereo Rocco and found himself unhappy away from London. This transfer marked a pivotal shift in his career, moving him from a struggling Chelsea side to the heart of one of English football's most successful teams.

Tottenham Success and International Heartbreak

Upon returning to England with Tottenham Hotspur, Greaves became an integral part of a golden era for the club. Although he never won a league title, his contributions were vital to their second-place finish in 1962–63, cementing his status as the club's second-highest all-time goalscorer. On the international stage, Greaves was a key figure for England between 1959 and 1967, participating in both the 1962 and 1966 World Cups. With substitutes not yet introduced to the game, he was replaced by Geoff Hurst for the final, meaning Greaves missed England's historic victory on home soil and did not receive his World Cup medal until FIFA rule changes in 2009.

Later Career Struggles and Media Legacy

After leaving Tottenham in a player exchange to West Ham United in March 1970, Greaves retired from professional football the following year. However, he returned to the pitch four years later at the non-league level, playing for clubs such as Brentwood, Chelmsford City, Barnet, and Woodford Town before his final retirement in 1980. This period was marked by personal challenges, including a battle with alcoholism that complicated his return to competitive play.

Following his departure from active football, Greaves successfully transitioned into broadcasting, becoming a beloved figure in sports media. He is perhaps best known for co-hosting the popular programme 'Saint and Greavsie' alongside Ian St John from 1985 to 1992. His engaging personality also led to regular appearances on TV-am and various ITV sports programmes, including 'Sporting Triangles', ensuring his influence extended far beyond his playing days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Jimmy Greaves?

Jimmy Greaves is a former English centre-forward widely regarded as Tottenham Hotspur's all-time greatest goalscorer. He played for the club from 1961 to 1970 and is remembered as the definitive striker of the 1960s.

What position did Jimmy Greaves play at Tottenham?

Greaves operated as a centre-forward, a role in which his exceptional finishing ability and predatory movement in the box made him one of the most lethal strikers of his era.

What major trophies did Jimmy Greaves win with Spurs?

During his time at White Hart Lane, Greaves lifted the FA Cup in 1962 and the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1963. These honours came under manager Bill Nicholson during a period when Spurs were building on their earlier Double-winning success.

When did Jimmy Greaves join Tottenham Hotspur?

He transferred from Chelsea in August 1961, arriving at a club that had just completed the League and FA Cup Double. He immediately became the focal point of Bill Nicholson's attacking setup.

Why is Jimmy Greaves considered a Tottenham legend?

His combination of raw goal-scoring instinct and technical flair redefined what a striker could be in the 1960s, turning White Hart Lane into a venue for pure attacking spectacle. Fans still regard him as the club's ultimate predator and the benchmark against which all subsequent Spurs forwards are measured.