It will be forty years since Jimmy walked off the pitch at Bloomfield Road after playing his final game for Blackpool against Manchester United on 1st May 1971. On Sunday at 6.30pm he will return once again and this time he will unveil a permanent reminder this time in bronze of himself to proudly stand next to the ground and the club for which he will be forever associated with.
The statue has been created by sculptor Les Johnson at his workshop in Hampshire and is life-size-and-a-half.
It has now been placed on a plinth outside the south-west corner of the ground and will be unveiled at a Tangerine tie Gala Dinner, 40 years to the day of Armfield’s last appearance in a Blackpool shirt. And Armfield wants to keep the full-size version a secret until then.
He added: “Sometimes expectation is better. I think everybody should be happy to see the statue at the time.”
Glenn Bowley, chairman of Blackpool Supporters’ Association, accompanied Armfield to see the statue – and said seeing it was confirmation the hard work of fundraisers had paid off.
“It was very good – everybody is really happy with it and the progress made – it looks absolutely fabulous,” said Mr Bowley.
“I can’t wait for the supporters to see it because they’ve contributed so much to it, they’ve played a massive part in this happening.”
Jimmy Armfield said: “I can see it’s me. Obviously, it is when I was in my 20s but it is very good. I can see a likeness in my hands and legs in particular,” said Armfield.
“You don’t really recall seeing your own face regularly because you only ever look at it in a reflection in the mirror. But I can definitely see my hands and legs.
“It is going to be unveiled this Sunday and it comes 40 years after my last match for the club – which ended in a 1-1 draw against Manchester United.
“When I was first told by the supporters’ association and the president about the statue I wasn’t in favour of it straight away – I said to them couldn’t they wait a few years until I’ve departed?
“But they said they wanted to do it, not only because of the football side of things but also all the community and charity work I have done in Blackpool over the years.”