Jimmy Armfield dead: Former England captain dies aged 82 after cancer battle

Former England captain Jimmy Armfield has died at the age of 82.

The Blackpool legend played 627 matches in 17 years for his only club and was part of Sir Alf Ramsey’s 1966 World Cup-winning squad. He was diagnosed with cancer for a second time last year.

Few players can claim to have conquered quite so many aspects of the sport as Armfield: player, manager — he took over at Leeds following the disastrous, 44-day reign of Brian Clough, leading them to the European Cup Final in 1975 — broadcaster and ambassador for the game he loved.

Armfield developed the blueprint for the modern overlapping right-back and was Bobby Moore’s predecessor, captaining England at the 1962 World Cup and earning a winner’s medal for 1966 — albeit 43 years later, when FIFA belatedly recognised non-playing squad members.

By then Armfield was three decades into his career as a journalist and summariser, a calling for which he showed unusual aptitude as he became one of the nation’s most respected and welcome radio personalities.

A statement issued by Blackpool today read: “Blackpool are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of its record appearance holder and vice-president Jimmy Armfield at the age of 82. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Jimmy’s wife Anne, his two sons, Duncan and John, and the rest of the Armfield family at this time.”

Armfield was awarded a CBE in 2009 for services to the Lancashire community.