**Jimmy Greaves: The Legendary Football Maestro and His Unforgettable Moments**
**Let's Begin**
Jimmy Greaves is largely considered as one of the finest footballers England has ever produced. A prolific striker with an eye for goal, Greaves astonished spectators with his superb finishing, quick thinking, and natural brilliance. Over his lengthy career, he played for various clubs, most notably **Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and West Ham United**, while also representing **England** at the international level.
In this blog article, we’ll explore: - Jimmy Greaves’ football career and legacy - The teams he played for and their squad sizes during his period - **Five of his most famous moments** that established his position in football history
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## **Jimmy Greaves: A Footballing Prodigy**
Born on **February 20, 1940**, in East Ham, London, Greaves began his football adventure with **Chelsea** in 1957. His goal-scoring prowess was clear from the outset, as he struck **124 goals in 157 league appearances** with the Blues before transferring to **AC Milan** in 1961. However, his tenure in Italy was short-lived, and he quickly returned to England to join **Tottenham Hotspur**, where he became a club hero.
### **Teams Jimmy Greaves Played For & Squad Sizes**
1. **Chelsea (1957–1961)** – Squad size: ~25 players - Scored **41 goals in the 1960-61 season**, a club record at the time.
2. **AC Milan (1961)** – Squad size: ~20 players - Struggled to adjust yet still showed moments of brilliance.
3. **Tottenham Hotspur (1961–1970)** – Squad size: ~22-28 players - Became Spurs' all-time greatest scorer with **266 goals in 379 games**. 4. **West Ham United (1970–1971)** – Squad size: ~24 players - Played with Bobby Moore before retiring.
5. **England National Team (1959–1967)** – Squad size: ~22 players each call-up - Scored **44 goals in 57 appearances**, making him one of England’s greatest-ever attackers.
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## **Top 5 Most Iconic Jimmy Greaves Moments**
### **1. Scoring on His England Debut (1959)** Greaves launched himself on the international scene in style. On **May 17, 1959**, he made his England debut against **Peru** and scored in a **4-1 victory**. This was the beginning of a great international career, where he would go on to score **44 goals**—a record that remained for decades until Wayne Rooney surpassed it.
### **2. The 1961 FA Cup Final – Tottenham’s Historic Double**
Greaves joined Tottenham in December 1961, just in time to assist them capture the **First Division title** and the **FA Cup**, completing the first **"Double"** of the 20th century. Although he wasn’t eligible for the FA Cup final, his league efforts (9 goals in 22 games) were important in Spurs’ win.
### **3. Six Goals in a Single Game for Chelsea (1960)** On **December 17, 1960**, Greaves completed one of the most overpowering individual displays in football history. Playing for **Chelsea against Wolverhampton Wanderers**, he scored **SIX goals** in a **7-1 thrashing**, demonstrating his vicious finishing skills.
### **4. 1966 World Cup Heartbreak & Triumph**
Greaves was England’s first-choice striker coming into the **1966 World Cup**, but an injury in the group stage opened the door for **Geoff Hurst**, who memorably scored a hat-trick in the final. Despite missing out on the historic triumph, Greaves’ performances in qualification and early matches were important to England’s success.
### **5. Record-Breaking 37 Goals in a Single Season (1962-63) **
In the **1962-63 season**, Greaves scored **37 league goals** for Tottenham—a club record that still remains today. His ability to find the net with both feet and his head made him practically unstoppable, winning him the **First Division Golden Boot**.
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## **Legacy & Later Life**
After retiring in 1971, Greaves switched into **broadcasting**, becoming a beloved TV pundit with **Ian St. John** on *"Saint and Greavsie"*. Despite suffering personal issues, including alcoholism, he rehabilitated and remained a respected character in sports.
In **2021**, the football world grieved his departure, but his legacy lives on. Tottenham Hotspur memorialized him with a statue outside their stadium, and supporters continue to appreciate his contributions to the beautiful game.
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## **Conclusion**
Jimmy Greaves was more than simply a goal-scorer—he was a footballing genius whose effect transcended decades. From his record-breaking achievements at **Chelsea and Tottenham** to his near-mythical position in English football, Greaves remains an indelible figure in the sport’s history.
Whether you remember him for his **lightning-fast strikes, his cheeky nature, or his astonishing records**, one thing is certain: **Jimmy Greaves was one of a kind.**
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