Armfield turned down the Everton Job

Monday, 22 January, 2018 18comments  |  Jump to most recent

Jimmy Armfield was offered the Everton manager's job by Sir John Moores in 1973.

In a wonderful memorial to Jimmy Armfield, who died today aged 82, the iconic footballing figure revealed to Mark Pugach on BBC Radio 5Live how he was offered the Everton manager's job in 1973.

The offer came after Armfield had been manager at Bolton Wanderers for less than 2 years, but Armfield told the Everton Chairman, Sir John Moores, after thinking about it overnight, that he didn't think he was ready for the Goodison Park hotseat.

He would go on to take over from Brian Clough at Leeds United after the controversial figure departed just 44 days into the job at Elland Road.

» Read the full article at BBC Radio 5Live Football Daily



Reader Comments (18)

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John McFarlane
1 Posted 22/01/2018 at 13:34:07
I have just learned of the death of Jimmy Armfield, and I think it's appropriate that I should pay tribute to Jimmy because of players who represented other clubs, he certainly was a favourite of mine.

Jimmy and Alex Parker, were the forerunners of today's wing backs, and if I'm allowed a little bias I put Alex slightly ahead. I thought that Jimmy was unfortunate to miss out on the right back position in '66, and I appreciate that opinions differ, but I thought he was a better full back than George Cohen.

When Jimmy retired he joined the BBC commentary team, I thought his gentle description of events, and his evaluation of the performances of players, was a credit to him.

I find it sad that someone has to die before we can express our appreciation, but I suppose that's all in the game.

Tony Hill
2 Posted 22/01/2018 at 14:54:43
John, I'll answer on your post about Jimmy Armfield. A gentleman he was. I agree with you about the 1966 right back position, he was a more exciting player than Cohen. I also agree about his commentating. He lacked, perhaps, the hard edge to be a true great as a player but that was, no doubt, a reflection of his wider character.
John McFarlane
3 Posted 22/01/2018 at 15:17:38
Hi Tony, I was beginning to think that there would be no response, I fully appreciate that this an Everton site, but I did hope that as followers of football in general, some senior readers would like to pay respects.

As an aside, I'm just putting the finishing touches to Part 8 of my favourite players, I shouldn't expect that there will be much of a shock, but you never know, because there one or two to pick from.

Tony Hill
4 Posted 22/01/2018 at 15:24:19
Looking forward to it, John.
Terry White
5 Posted 22/01/2018 at 15:40:30
John and Tony, Jimmy Armfield was a classy full back with Stanley Matthews on the wing ahead of him. Armfield played in a generally poor Blackpool side. The comparisons with Alex Parker and George Cohen, contemporaries of him, are valid.

Like you, I'm perhaps a little biased, but would put Parker ahead of Armfield and then Cohen. But Alex Parker did have the benefit of playing in our wonderful side from 1960 to 1963.

Clive Mitchell
6 Posted 22/01/2018 at 23:41:30
It's typical of the man as he came across on radio, and as he comes across in others' tributes, that he should decide himself that he wasn't ready for the Everton job. It was always a joy to hear Jimmy Armfield providing the expert input in a radio commentary.

Two things stood out: his ability perfectly to sum up the situation in a match; and his absolute love of and respect for football and footballers.

You'd often hear Jimmy say, when at Goodison in the Sky years, "This is a BIG club, Everton." A great man of football, and a great man.

Doug Harris
7 Posted 22/01/2018 at 00:05:18
A class full back for Blackpool and England when lads and men wanted to play football. I saw him play against Everton in my very much younger days... sad news of his demise

RIP, Jimmy Armfield.

Karl Masters
8 Posted 23/01/2018 at 16:50:16
He was always complimentary about Everton.

He nearly won the European Cup with Leeds in 1975, losing the Final to a very dodgy refereeing decision or two as I recall against Bayern Munich in Paris. So bad were those decisions that Leeds fans ruined the celebrations of Muller, Beckenbauer, Breitner, Maier and Co by ripping out the seats and hurling them at them! A riot quite typical of the era.

Leeds were still a decent team under Armfield. When he left, they went downhill fast and got relegated, much to the joy of Evertonians!

Ray Atherton
9 Posted 23/01/2018 at 17:33:58
Alex Parker had a column in the Echo and always said that Jimmy Armfield was the best right back in England.

Jimmy sent Peter Reid congratulations on making his debut for Bolton Wanderers. A great captain and gentleman.

RIP Jimmy Armfield

Dave Abrahams
10 Posted 23/01/2018 at 17:56:27
Jimmy was one of those rare breeds, an honest and humble man who at times spoke his mind without any malice in his observations: I knew a young Scouse footballer on Blackpool's books, he said this fella used to come into the club and mix with the players. The lad didn't know who was but when told his name he knew instantly about his football fame, Jimmy Armfield.

They got talking and Jimmy told him he loved going to Goodison and Anfield, especially for the banter with Scousers, but he had noticed while they liked taking the mickey, a lot of them didn't like taking it back – very true that in my experience, more so at Anfield.

Andy Williams
11 Posted 23/01/2018 at 22:45:09
Never saw him play but by far my favourite pundit. Knowledgeable, respectful and always pertinent. A joy to listen to. None of the current mouths for hire come close.
Jim Robinson
12 Posted 24/01/2018 at 00:36:28
How the world has changed. Here in Australia, I used to stay up until the wee small hours of Sunday morning listening to Jimmy providing commentary on the second half of a live game.

Always in the garden, because I smoked in those days, with the dog asleep at my feet. I strained my ears to hear his wit and wisdom as the sound faded and surged on my short wave radio.

Now, I get to watch the games live on TV but have to endure the inane ramblings of so-called pundits. To me, Jimmy epitomises the gentlemen of a bygone era.

RIP, Jimmy Armfield and thank you for enriching so many of my weekends.

Christine Foster
13 Posted 29/01/2018 at 00:30:34
In these days of instant replays, Sky analytics and overpaid average players, a moment or two on the passing of a gentleman, a world class player and a really nice person.

He epitomised an era long gone now, of loyalty, and dedication to his profession. Not only that, he was an excellent player too and I was privileged to see him play as a very young supporter in a time when you applauded quality in the opposition.

RIP Jimmy..

Steve Ferns
14 Posted 29/01/2018 at 15:01:13
I've only just spotted this. I was saddened to hear of the passing of Jimmy Armfield. I believe that the Radio 5 article refers to an interview done with Jimmy last year, which was in depth look at his career, both as a player, and a manager, and then in the commentary booth. It also covers his childhood. If you haven't listened to it, I believe it is available to listen to on the Radio 5 website, or as a free Podcast on iTunes under Radio 5 sport specials. It's a great listen.

I'm far too young to Remember Jimmy as anyone other than a 5 Five Co-commentator. Put in the age of sensationalism, where every decent player is the greatest ever, and every season is the greatest ever, it was always refreshing to hear from a guy who'd done it all, who could bring those excitable lot back down to earth. I think he was a wonderful commentator and for a guy who seemed to come from my grandfather's generation, I was always surprised how young he actually was (as his management career being over a good 40 years ago). He will be missed.

Dave Abrahams
15 Posted 29/01/2018 at 15:55:35
Christine (13), surprised at you Christine, there is nothing to stop you applauding good play by the opposition, apart from dirty looks by the fans near you, and I don't think you would let that bother you.
Christine Foster
16 Posted 30/01/2018 at 01:39:02
Dave, there has been many a time when I have clapped a great goal or play from an opposition team; you are a dying breed though!
David Barks
17 Posted 30/01/2018 at 02:10:44
Christine,

I'm guessing I'm not of the same age as you, but I feel the same way. I don't have a problem acknowledging great play from the opposition.

Hell, just this past year I applauded the team I was coaching against when they scored a great goal, passing it from defense through the midfield and eventually a beautiful throughball leading to the goal.

It's sport, not war. Doesn't mean we can't be passionate and tribal, just within limits and keeping a bit of perspective.

Dave Abrahams
18 Posted 30/01/2018 at 20:35:21
Christine (#16), yes you are right about applauding the opposition being a thing of the past but there are quite a few who just do it automatically. I might have clapped our opponents more than I have Everton this very sad season.

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