Greaves in intensive care after stroke

LONDON: Former Tottenham Hotspur and England striker Jimmy Greaves has suffered a severe stroke and is in intensive care in hospital, his family said yesterday.

A prolific goalscorer throughout his career, Greaves scored 44 goals in just 57 appearances for England — the fourthhighest total of all time.

A family statement said the 75-year-old Greaves had fallen ill on Sunday and was taken to hospital.

“His wife Irene and four children have asked for privacy during what is a worrying time for the family,” added the statement.

“Jimmy had a minor stroke in 2012, but appeared to have made a full recovery.

“He was due to be inducted into the Tottenham Hotspur Hall of Fame on May 13 at a sell-out ceremony at White Hart Lane.”

Meanwhile Spurs said on their Twitter site: “Everyone at the club wishes Jimmy Greaves a speedy recovery after he suffered a stroke yesterday [Sunday].

“Our thoughts are with Jimmy and his family at this difficult time.”

Despite being the outstanding England striker of his era, Greaves missed out on the 1966 World Cup final win over the then West Germany after suffering a shin injury against France in the group stages.

Greaves’ former teammate Geoff Hurst, who replaced him in that side and went on to score a famous hat-trick in England’s 4-2 final win at Wembley, added his best wishes, tweeting: “Thinking of my friend and one of our greats this morning, @jimmy_greaves. Wishing him all the best and hoping for a speedy recovery.”

Greaves had a meteoric rise in football after making his senior debut for Chelsea in 1957 and had scored 100 league goals by the age of 20 years and 290 days — making him still the youngest-ever player to have reached that landmark.

Chelsea joined the growing list of wellwishers by tweeting Monday: “All at Chelsea are thinking of former Blue Jimmy Greaves and his family at this time. We wish him a full and swift recovery.”

After scoring 132 goals in a mere 169 matches for Chelsea, he joined Italian giants AC Milan for the then huge sum of £80,000 (US$121,000, €108,407) in 1961.

But the ultra-strict regime, which saw players fined by Milan for venturing outside the city limits, did not suit Greaves.

Greaves scored 266 goals in 379 matches in nine seasons with Spurs during a golden era for the north London club.

Greaves eventually finished his senior career with West Ham — his third London club.