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Post by swedishstokie3 on Oct 8, 2011 13:29:28 GMT
Hi
I am writing an article for Swedish Stokies site about the great Jimmy Greenhoff.
Anybody got any information about his whereabouts at present? Does he go to the Brit. much? Does he have anything named after him at the Britannia; is there a Jimmy Greenhoff suite or something?
All your memories of the great man will be appreciated; I recall that he was not keen to leave us back in 1976 or is this just a fond myth I want to hold on to?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2011 13:52:04 GMT
He didnt want to leave- for many posters on this Board he was simply the best player we have ever seen wear the red and white strips. my recollections of him are of a player who had a great postional sense, could receive, hold and distribute a ball superbly well, and could find space, particularily anticipating how big John Ritchie would play any situation. having said all of this there was one skill he had which was quite exceptional,- he was best player at volleying a ball that i have ever seen- if you want an example of this have a look at the goal he scored in our 3-0 win at Birmingham City in 1974/5 ( I think its on you tube and maybe logged on the "those were the days" site on the oatcake- posted by Roots)
There will never be another Jimmy Greehoff- he was one of the players from that era who could without question have performed in the premiership.
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Post by lancashirelad on Oct 8, 2011 13:59:03 GMT
A great player, whom occassionally appears on the pitch at the Brit when great ex players paraded.
Remember the two superb goals at Birmingham when we topped the table and won 3-0. He could play up front with any partner with Big John ritchie the best but also great with Geoff Hurst.
The teleapathic relationship with Alan Hudson was and is legendary.
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Post by str8outtahampton on Oct 8, 2011 14:45:55 GMT
God eftermiddag
Sir James of Greenhoffshire. What can you say? A joy to watch, and the crystallisation perhaps of the Waddington spirit. I was at Birmingham that day and as suggested above, he was just sublime, as was the rest of the side.
But for me, his signature goal was a header which won the home game v Man City (1-0) in 1969. The cross came in from the left, although at a very oblique angle, ie he really had to work to put pace on the ball. He was at least about 18 yards from the goal. He jumped very high (I doubt he was more than 5 feet 10) and seemed to "hang" in the air - a bit like Denis Law was reputed to have been able to do. With a flick of the head, the ball (apparently defying the laws of physics) screamed into the net.
Obviously I was quite young, and the memory may be a little rose-tinted...
Two other things:
1. When fouled, even though players in those days very rarely went down unless it was a foul, he would sometimes arch his back quite theatrically and crumple in a heap, as though hit by a sniper.
2. Did he want to leave? You'd need to ask him, but whilst I think he was not looking to go, and the club was being forced to shed players for financial reasons, I also strongly suspect that he embraced the move. The same would be true today - none of our players would turn down a move to Man Utd if it arose. And bear in mind he was successful there - I think he scored in the final to win the FA Cup for them.
If I ever had the chance, I would thank Jimmy for all the pleasure he gave me and for the memories - golden in every sense.
Adjo.
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Post by lexie on Oct 8, 2011 14:51:06 GMT
My boyhood hero and still is 40 years later, meet him last year and had a good chat about the FA Cup semi final against Arsenal when through on goal he blasted his shot over the bar and as they say the rest is history. If only he had scored we would have had to wait nearly forty years to get to an FA Cup final.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2011 15:00:13 GMT
I think he works at Aventis in Holmes Chapel.
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Post by PerCyfilth ....Captains Log on Oct 8, 2011 15:01:02 GMT
Last i heard he was driving a forklift at ROF Radway Green after losing a lot of money after a failed insurance business which i believe his partner mismanaged. allegedly.
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Post by Mr_DaftBurger on Oct 8, 2011 15:10:01 GMT
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Post by elystokie on Oct 8, 2011 15:32:26 GMT
I could swear he said he cried when he left on one of those old videos I have where they interviewed a lot of ex players. A wonderful player, his name was chanted on the boothen for a quite a few games after he'd gone iirc. That fucking stand  |
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Post by Do it for dobing on Oct 8, 2011 15:45:11 GMT
Certainly not a homer to draw a comparison with John not relevant completely different players.Big John was just a goal scorer
Jimmy was a complete footballer passing, heading ,volleys ,speed,quick thinking just everything telepathic understanding with Hudson could go on.
Performances away from home sometimes brilliant Derby ,Birmingham not a homer.
We missed him when he left it took the heart out of the team and we're still talking about him. Remember his signature goal(Man City), was standing in the Butler Street paddock glancing header typical Greenhoff
338 appearances 97 goals - Stoke City official website
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Post by BuzzB on Oct 8, 2011 17:49:05 GMT
Certainly not a homer to draw a comparison with John not relevant completely different players.Big John was just a goal scorer Jimmy was a complete footballer passing, heading ,volleys ,speed,quick thinking just everything telepathic understanding with Hudson could go on. Performances away from home sometimes brilliant Derby ,Birmingham not a homer. We missed him when he left it took the heart out of the team and we're still talking about him. Remember his signature goal(Man City), was standing in the Butler Street paddock glancing header typical Greenhoff 338 appearances 97 goals - Stoke City official website pretty much spot on. I was a raw 17 year old when he was sold, but I remember being totally devastated, one of those moments when you never forget where you were when something happened! Top top player. |
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Post by sirgreenhoff on Oct 8, 2011 17:59:55 GMT
Last i heard he was driving a forklift at ROF Radway Green after losing a lot of money after a failed insurance business which i believe his partner mismanaged. allegedly. I can defo' confirm that Sir Jimmy Greenhoff has never ever driven a fork lift truck or done anything else at RoF Radway Green. I've worked there for over 25 years and, as much as I, and many others would have wanted him to, he hasn't. I think your info' on the insurance business is pretty close to the mark though. The great man still lives in leafy Alsager, where he settled when he started playing for the mighty, mighty Potters. |
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Post by bvern on Oct 8, 2011 18:06:24 GMT
Shock of blonde hair and his flair, panache made him a massive fans favourite and my all time hero.
He fitted our team at the time perfectly (credit to Waddo) though the position he played - inside right isn't really a factor these days so it is difficult to draw comparisons with modern day players.
The Ritchie comparison is completely unfair - centre forward and inside right were two completely different positions and of course the centre forward scored more goals, but Greenhoff scored important match winning goals and to be honest rightly or wrongly a Greenhoff goal meant more to an impressionable teenager than anybody else on the team.
If i was to try and draw a comparison it would be to Van Der Vart today or even Cantona in his days at MUFC. Talismanic and a genius.
The fact that we (I) can still feel such emotion about a player all these years on says something about how special he really was!
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Post by werrington on Oct 8, 2011 18:10:32 GMT
Greenhoff along with Hudson are and will always be a massive part of our history and are held in the same esteem as Matthews......nuff said
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Post by Greenhoff is God on Oct 8, 2011 19:46:33 GMT
I agree we everything that's been said. I worshipped the ground Jimmy Greenhoff walked on, we used to say "Jesus saves but Greenhoff scores the rebound". I have never seen another No. 8 (Inside Right) as good as Jimmy play for Stoke since.
We often talk about Biggins, Stein, Thorne, Hoekstra, Fuller etc being special......but listen up guys, honestly they were not fit to lace Jimmys boots (and I love Riccy Fuller) and those who were around at the time (late 60's onwards) will know what I mean.
Ask Peter Coates he'll tell you....he's seen with his owns eyes.
Jimmy was a proper footballer, not like the overpaid ladyboys that play nowadays (including some of ours) and a gentleman to boot.
I'd sometimes see him stop off at the Off Licence opposite Bank Corner in Alsager on his way back from training to pick a box full of booze up on his way home.....sometimes the traffic would just stop at the junction and stare.......wow that's Jimmy Greenhoff. He used to live on Sandbach Road South during his playing days, not sure where his lives now but, from reading other threads on here, still in Alsager I believe.
If we put up a statue at the Brit for anyone, it should be Jimmy Greenhoff.
As I sit here kissing the badge on my Silk Scarf (yes Silk F***ing Scarf) Greenhoff was and still is God.
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Post by werrington on Oct 8, 2011 19:52:40 GMT
I agree we everything that's been said. I worshipped the ground Jimmy Greenhoff walked on, we used to say "Jesus saves but Greenhoff scores the rebound". I have never seen another No. 8 (Inside Right) as good as Jimmy play for Stoke since. We often talk about Biggins, Stein, Thorne, Hoekstra, Fuller etc being special......but listen up guys, honestly they were not fit to lace Jimmys boots (and I love Riccy Fuller) and those who were around at the time (late 60's onwards) will know what I mean. Ask Peter Coates he'll tell you....he's seen with his owns eyes. Jimmy was a proper footballer, not like the overpaid ladyboys that play nowadays (including some of ours) and a gentleman to boot. I'd sometimes see him stop off at the Off Licence opposite Bank Corner in Alsager on his way back from training to pick a box full of booze up on his way home.....sometimes the traffic would just stop at the junction and stare.......wow that's Jimmy Greenhoff. He used to live on Sandbach Road South during his playing days, not sure where his lives now but, from reading other threads on here, still in Alsager I believe. If we put up a statue at the Brit for anyone, it should be Jimmy Greenhoff. As I sit here kissing the badge on my Silk Scarf (yes Silk F***ing Scarf) Greenhoff was and still is God. I may be a daft old git but Fuller is up there with him mate |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2011 20:04:31 GMT
Werrington- Fuller is the only player i have seen at Stoke who can take a ball with his back to goal and either hold and lay it off like Greenhoff could- Fuller also has the ability on occasion to turn and completley rip a hole in the defence like no one else ive seen, but he is no where near as consistent as GreenHoff and not as lethal in the 20 yeard box- the only player i have seen though with similarities
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Post by werrington on Oct 8, 2011 20:10:38 GMT
Werrington- Fuller is the only player i have seen at Stoke who can take a ball with his back to goal and either hold and lay it off like Greenhoff could- Fuller also has the ability on occasion to turn and completley rip a hole in the defence like no one else ive seen, but he is no where near as consistent as GreenHoff and not as lethal in the 20 yeard box- the only player i have seen though with similarities Different times and different era mate as Greenhoff had Hudson and Salmons around him whereas Ric makes something from nothing......No doubts about it though they and Hudson ( in my eyes ) will forever be at the front of my thoughts whenever Stoke greatest player subject is brought to the fore |
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Post by kevan45 on Oct 8, 2011 20:27:42 GMT
McGarry pointed out that he still lives in Alsager a few weeks ago.
He was at the Europa Cup match vs Besiktas, Block 9,
Q-Railing Upper with his grandson (along with a few other SCFC legends)
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Post by Greenhoff is God on Oct 8, 2011 20:40:31 GMT
Jimmy was the real deal as a complete footballer i.e. tempermant,fair play, team player. I'll give an example.....re Fulller for instance,
I never saw Jimmy ever get booked for arguing with a referee, I never saw Jimmy kick out at another player (Riccy on Joey Barton at home last season) I never saw Jimmy twat one of his own team (Andy Griffin away at WHU).
Again don't get me wrong, I love Riccy but he'll never be as good as Jimmy was, just a fact of life.
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4372stokie
Lads'n'Dads
I cried when he left
Posts: 68
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Post by 4372stokie on Oct 8, 2011 22:49:27 GMT
See my photo!! He is the only player I have shaken his hand and thanked him! Fuller comes close in that he makes me excited when he gets the ball..but no one, no one, is in sir james' league! A true God of scfc. Only behind sir stan so my dad tells me. Hudson next..
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Oct 9, 2011 5:31:34 GMT
He certainly didn't want to leave. It was reported at the time that both he and Waddo cried together when the board told Waddo that he was to be sold to help pay for the Butler Street Stand debacle. Both of them have confirmed it many times since.
Having said that, Jimmy gave his all for Man Utd like the good pro that he is. I was devastated when he left (who wasn't?) but I was delighted for him that he moved to a top club and that he had a successful time there including that elusive FA Cup winners' medal.
You didn't have to know a lot about football to realise what a good player he was. My mum picked him out as the best player on the pitch on her ONLY visit to the Vic. Superb technique, great vollyer, unselfish and both Hudson and Ritchie played better when he was alongside them. My favourite Stoke player of all time - I can still remember his first goal for Stoke (scored in front of the Boothen of course) and my biggest regret is that he didn't score in our League Cup final - he was, in fact, injured and didn't finish the game.
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Post by JoeinOz on Oct 9, 2011 11:57:58 GMT
November 2nd 1974. Infancy about to experience one of the defining moments of an entire
life. For the first time approaching the Victoria Ground, clinging to dads hand and The Four Tops I'll Be There hissing out from the tannoy. The turnstile itself provided a challenge. What a strange obstacle for a five year old to negotiate! Walking past the tea bar, up the steps to see a small strip of grass through legs. The higher on the steps more green becomes visible until reaching the top then looking down on a great big strip of grass....and it was paradise.
Football matches had a specific aroma in those days. The unique smell of bovril cigar smoke and anxiety. A moody autumn sky added to the morose demeanour. A childs mind is unhindered by critical faculties. When our players emerged each one of them held God like status. OK, some were no doubt better players than others, but just wearing our red & white stripes secured my affection. However, there is still room for a special one. Mine was our blonde bombshell Jimmy Greenhoff. I've seen better players (though not many) but it was Jimmy who opened the window, through which I gleefully climbed, to open my heart and mind to the possibilities of the greatest game on earth.
Jimmy dominated my early football watching career. Sitting on the wall in the Butler Street Paddock and Jimmy moves to a wide position. The first time in my life I felt awestruck. The great Jimmy Greenhoff was a matter of feet away from me. Being in the park with my brother and dad practising Jimmy volleys. And a blistering one against Leeds winning us a cracking game. (By Jimmy not by us in the park!) Sadly, I also remember crying on a Saturday morning in December 1976 when dad showed me the back of the Daily Mirror and it displayed the unthinkable news. Greenhoff had gone to Man Yoo. He didn't want to leave us. Betrayed by Stoke City Football Club. That news indelibly stamped a cynical edge in my mind. Seven is too young to endure heartbreak as deep as that. The next game I sort of expected him to be playing for us. Stoke City without Jimmy? Impossible. The next game I expected him to be there as usual. But gone he was...to win the FA Cup as we got relegated.
For all the heartbreak attached to supporting a football club, would we really want things any other way? Surely the glory of the great moments is exacerbated by their rarity. When we see gloryhunters we resent what they symbolise. Soulless empty mercenaries bathing in tepid reflected glory which is riddled with poison. Could the brigade of parasites who attach themselves to a football club by way of a bedspread feel the warmth I feel when I reflect on my infatuation with Jimmy?
The pride and passion we feel for our team is something few of us would really want to change. And, I'm sure like many of you reading this, I'm so glad I grew up loving that great big strip of grass.
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Post by ST1 Stokie on Oct 9, 2011 12:22:27 GMT
Lets face it boys....when we played nogger there were 22 players that wanted to be Jimmy Greenhoff.He was the original HOFF.  |
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Post by JoeinOz on Oct 9, 2011 12:24:03 GMT
Jimmy Greenhoff. Greatest uncapped english player ever. FACT.
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Post by milfman1 on Oct 9, 2011 15:28:15 GMT
when i used to live in alsager i knew jimmy greenhoff pretty well through knowing his lad who was in the year above me at alsager comp and played golf with jimmy fairly regularly in the late 80's early 90's.
we talked about his career lots and while he does still really like man ure, and said he had great times there, he said that playing for stoke in the early 70's was amazing. he said that the whole city was behind the club in those days and the anticipation before a game started building on the monday and by the saturday everyone, especially the players, where so pumped up for the game and that he never had that feeling at man ure on a regular basis.
jimmy was also really impressed so that many of the lads in alsager at that time supported stoke so avidly travelling all over the country to watch us when we where frankly shite and that we deserved better from the club - how times have changed
a top bloke and a true stoke city legend
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Post by capto on Oct 9, 2011 17:19:46 GMT
one thing I remember - vs Birmingham, I think & the ref was Roger Kirkpatrick, smallish, plumpish & baldish, & the ref started running backwards, lost his footing & fell over - Jimmy helped him up & then used his Stoke shirt sleeve to give his bald pate a bit of a shine! Brilliant, JG & the refs head!
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Post by deliasmith on Oct 9, 2011 17:34:51 GMT
A couple of months ago The Guardian had an open feature on the best modern England-qualified player never to have got a cap: Jimmy was the winner. It was his bad luck that the England manager for most of the time he was at his peak was the peevish and dishonest Don Revie, who wouldn't pick Jimmy because he'd sold him from Leeds.
For what it's worth, I think John Ritchie was actually treated more unfairly - imagine an England-qualified player with 200 top-flight goals not getting a look-in nowadays.
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Post by terryconroyslegs on Oct 9, 2011 18:03:14 GMT
The best player never to play for England. Absolutely sublime.
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Post by fca47 on Oct 9, 2011 18:07:56 GMT
He did the half-time draw at the Man U game a couple of week ago. Got a good hand from both sets of supporters.
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