Jimmy Greaves

by Matt Allen

Published 24 May 2001
Throughout the 60s, Jimmy Greaves was the ultimate goal machine. His 357 goals in English football came at the rate of 2 every 3 games. Quick, intelligent and aggressive, "Greavsie" had the ability to waltz through a bemused wall of defenders before tucking the ball past a hapless goalkeeper seemingly at will, endearing him to football fans across the country. Whether it was with Chelsea, AC Milan, Spurs or West Ham, Greaves was always an entertainer. From the moment he scored on his debut for Chelsea against Bill Nicholson's Tottenham, he was proclaimed a genius by fans and the media. But like so many geniuses, Greaves had a wayward streak and would often turn to drink in times of trouble. For anyone under the age of 40, Jimmy Greaves is probably nothing more than a droll sidekick to TV partner Ian St John or a latex puppet on "Spitting Image", but this biography is a reminder of Greaves's abilities as a goal-scorer extraordinaire.