Agenda item

Councillors will be asked to observe a minute’s silence as a mark of respect to Freeman of the Borough, Mr Jimmy Armfield CBE who sadly died on 22 January 2018.

Group Leaders and/ or representatives will be invited to pay tribute to Mr Armfield CBE and to pass a resolution of condolence.

A formal resolution of condolence will be forwarded under separate cover, prior to the meeting.

Members observed a minute’s silence as a mark of respect, following the sad loss of Freeman of the Borough Mr Jimmy Armfield CBE on 22 January 2018.  The Council was invited to pay tribute to his life and work and consider a resolution of condolence.  

Motion:  Councillor Jackson proposed (and Councillor Owen seconded):

‘This Council and the Townspeople of Blackpool were deeply saddened to learn of the death on 22 January 2018 of Freeman of the Borough Mr Jimmy Armfield CBE.

Jimmy was born in Denton, Manchester on 21 September 1935 and was educated at Revoe Primary School and the former Arnold School in Blackpool.

He became a professional footballer in 1954 for Blackpool Football Club, whilst also

undertaking his National Service duties with the Kings Own Royal Regiment. During his 17-year career with Blackpool, he was captain for 13 of those years and made a total of 629 appearances for the club.  He also represented his country on 43 occasions between 1959 and 1966 and was a member of England's 1966 World Cup-winning squad, but did not play in the final.

After hanging up his football boots in 1971, he turned his talents to football management, gaining promotion to the old Second Division with Bolton Wanderers in 1973 and two years later, he succeeded Brian Clough at Leeds and guided them to a European Cup final, where they were beaten 2-0 by Bayern Munich.

He then became a journalist, taking the necessary qualifications and took up sports commentary providing the BBC with expert analysis and insight for more than 30 years.  He also worked for the Football Association and advised on the appointment of future England managers.  In 2008 was awarded the Outstanding Contribution honour at the Football League Awards ceremony in London, the PFA Merit award and he was also admitted to the Football Hall of Fame at the National Football Museum in Preston.

Throughout his life Jimmy was honoured for services to the community firstly receiving an OBE in 2000, he was then granted the highest honour the Council can bestow in granting him the Freedom of the Borough of Blackpool on 9 April 2003.

In 2004, he was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire and in 2005/ 2006 he served as High Sheriff of Lancashire.  In the New Year’s Honours List 2009, he was awarded the CBE for his services to the Lancashire Community.  A nine foot statue was also unveiled in 2009 and sits proudly on the way into Blackpool, facing Seasiders Way, outside the Bloomfield Road stadium.

Jimmy had many other interests including being the organist/ choirmaster at St Peter’s Church, Blackpool, Vice-President of the Lancashire Outward Bound Trust and served as a Non-Executive Director with the Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde Community Health Services Trust and a Non-Executive Director with the Blackpool Hospitals Trust.  The Armfield Academy will open in September on the former Arnold School site, where Jimmy was a pupil and in later years a Governor.

Our deepest sympathy goes out to his wife Anne, their two sons John and Duncan and the wider Armfield family.’

Councillor Mrs Henderson and the Mayor also paid tribute.

Motion carried: The motion on being submitted to the Council was carried unanimously.