Blackpool's tower of strength

His critics would claim that Jim was often too much of a gentleman. But his admirers, who formed a huge majority and included some of the most respected judges in the game over the past 20 years, could counter that he was able to be such a gentleman because his ability and temperament enabled him to control himself as well as his opponent.

Armfield, a dedicated professional in so many ways, was in so many other ways the last of the Corinthians. Professionalism was almost a dirty word to him. His attitude was illustrated by a scene from a particularly brutal game towards the end of his 19 years with Blackpool. It was against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park and all hell was breaking loose.

'Do you know what Jim did?' said one incredulous player later. 'He went over and said "Come on, let's get on with the game!". That's what Armfield, to his credit, always tried to do . . . get on with the game. He did it so well that he was able to hold down his First Division place at right-back until he was 35 and captain England 13 times at the peak of his career.

Armfield heads clear a Frank Mclintock effort at Highbury in April 1965

He did it all on ability. He was fast, among the fastest full-backs the game has seen and he was strong. He was intelligent, reading the game well. He could strike quickly in the tackle, raid at great speed down the right flank, and if the attack broke down be back at his defensive post before the opposition could take advantage.

He believed in stopping his man by fair means, and his fouls, when committed, were not the crippling or softening-up type so often associated with full-backs. Armfield summed up his attitude when he spoke of his admiration for Stanley Matthews, for many seasons a Blackpool team-mate: 'I believe every kid should try to see Stan before he retires to learn how to be a gentleman on the field.'

Gentleman, successful attacking full-back and captain, respected citizen of Blackpool he was a sidesman at his local church and on several occasions preached at sportsmen's services Armfield reflected credit on the system and the people who had such a big influence on his early life.

Armfield at Old Trafford in September 1970

James Christopher Armfield was born on 21 September 1935 in Denton, near Manchester. But the family moved to Blackpool and he settled there for life. (He once replied, when asked why he had never moved, that 'the sea air alone is worth a tenner a week.') His father was a grocer and young Jim was sent to Arnold School.

Rugby was the game there and he became a good wing-threequarter outside Malcolm Phillips, who went on to play for England. Armfield is one of three Arnold Old Boys who have played the other football code for England:

the other two are J F Mitchell, the Preston and Manchester City goalkeeper, and George Eastham, of Newcastle, Arsenal and Stoke.

Armfield was a star pupil. He gained 'A' levels, was captain at cricket, was school athletics champion, and in the swimming and rifle teams. Outside school he played soccer for St Peter's Youth Club and it was here, as a right-winger, that he was spotted by Blackpool. Joe Smith, then the manager, persuaded him to go to Bloomfield Road instead of university he had planned to be a schoolteacher and on Christmas Day 1954 made his first appearance in League football, against Portsmouth. It was the first of a club record of 568.

'I was ready in my early days at Blackpool to back-track to teaching if I was a failure,' he said later. But there was no danger of that. Even national service, in the King's Own Regiment, could not slow him down.

Jimmy Greaves and Armfield relaxing at the England training camp in May 1966

He was picked for the Football League side; he was called up by England Under-23 in 1957 and became their captain; in 1959 he was awarded the Billy Wright '100' Trophy (marking Wright's century of caps) as the country's outstanding young player; in May that year he won the first of 43 caps against Brazil in Rio, at left-back.

Soon he had a reputation as the best full-back in Europe. Matt Busby was one of many to rate him that highly. A year later he switched to the right flank, and in 1961 he was made captain of England. That was only for one game, but in 1962 it became permanent when Johnny Haynes was injured in a motor accident, ironically at Blackpool. Armfield led his country as he had led his club for so long, by example. He held the position until 1964, when he had to drop out through injury and hand over the captaincy to Bobby Moore. He returned for two more caps in 1966 in place of George Cohen, and was in the World Cup 22, though he did not play in the six final games at Wembley.

Bobby Charlton and Armfield before his final game for Pool in 1971

There were several moves by big clubs in England and on the continent to persuade Blackpool to part. Armfield even made some attempts to get away himself. But he and Blackpool stuck together and neither party regretted it. When the maximum wage was lifted Armfield said: 'I'm happy under the new deal. Blackpool offered me more than I expected.' And he supplemented this income by writing for the local paper. No ghost writer for him—he was proud to declare that his column was all his own work.

Jim played on, outpacing much younger speed merchants up to the day he retired. Blackpool were relegated in 1967, but he led them back to the First Division in 1970. After just one season back in the top class Blackpool were relegated again, and Armfield retired from playing to become manager at Bolton. Even then he continued to live at Blackpool: 'It's a friendly town,' he explains. 'I love it and I've put down deep roots. I've had some great times playing for what people call an unfashionable club.'

Supporters are currently petitioning for him to receive the knighthood he surely deserves to sign that petition please click the following link here the deadline to sign up by is 23 April 2008 - thank you.