Tributes paid to one of Blues’ finest servants
TRIBUTES have been paid to former Everton chief executive Jim Greenwood. The Birkdale resident sadly died earlier this month, and colleagues from his time at the club have expressed their sadness at the loss of “a good man and good friend”.
Jim worked at Everton between December, 1975, and November, 1994, initially as club secretary and then as its first-ever chief executive.
A dedicated, resourceful and widely admired official, Greenwood was respected throughout football and enjoyed an excellent rapport with the media throughout his two decades with the Toffees.
Jim entered the football world by joining Southport straight from school as a ground staff player in 1946, but eventually became assis- tant secretary at Haig Avenue and, later, part-time secretary at Wigan Athletic.
He first came to Everton’s attention when he spent a summer helping with Goodison Park season ticket sales in the 1950s
His business and administrative acumen was evident when he joined a wholesale food distribution company and rose to become managing director, prior to being appointed Everton secretary, later chief executive, in 1975.
Southport-based writer and broadcaster John Keith, who knew Jim well, was one of the first to pay tribute.
He said: “Like his opposite number at Liverpool, Peter Robinson, Jim was very skilled at dealing with the media. He was a communicator, keeping the sportswriters abreast of what was happening at the club.
“When he and Peter had both retired, journalists from national and local newspapers held a dinner in their honour in Southport and presented each of them with an inscribed fountain pen.”
Everton chairman Bill Kenwright said: “Jim Greenwood was one of Everton’s finest servants and fans.
“He was also one of football’s great administrators, and his legacy of helping steer Everton through its greatest years will never be forgotten in Goodison Park history.
“He was, more than anything, though, a good man and a good friend to anyone who was lucky enough to work alongside him and share his wisdom and his friendship. I was one of those lucky people.”
Former Toffee Graeme Sharp added: “Jim was a lovely man. He was everybody’s friend and somebody you could speak to if you needed anything. He was always totally professional and very, very good at his job. It is a truly sad day.”