We have lost a true legend, the greatest EVER goal scoring machine in history. Jimmy Greaves scored 44 goals in his 57 games for England, and had a prolific goal scoring career in club football for Chelsea, Milan, Tottenham Hotspur, and of course for his home team West Ham United.

Jimmy played in two World Cups, the first in Chile in 1962 and the second in 1966. At the time I was only five years, the ‘milk boy’ in Poplar with Pat the milkman who paid me ‘half a crown’ (13 pence) delivering red and gold tops around Oban House and the factories on the Isle of Dogs.

England’s Jimmy Greaves dribbles through a set of poles along with several other possibles for England’s World Cup squad

A centre-forward of outstanding natural talent, Jimmy was one of the greatest attackers of all time. Jimmy still holds the record for most goals in the English top-flight with 357, an AMAZING record.

It’s not fair, I know we all have to go sometime but we all don’t want that to happen do we? Jimmy I met only once when I was choreographing/directing the football scenes for an ITV six-part series of Mike Bassett: Manager. He had me in stitches when the cameras were not rolling just like he had all of us rolling up with laughter when he appeared on the that iconic ITV show Saint and Greavsie that ran from 1985 to 1992 with his mate Ian St John, another forward who passed earlier this year on 1 March 2021.

The series and strike legend were so popular they became part of English culture with Greavsie’s catchphrase “It’s a funny old game’ noted all over the country. But Saint and Greavsie was a must-watch for every football fan, hugely entertaining and sometimes blooming hilarious.

I am writing this on 19 September 2021 as West Ham United entertain Manchester United at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Stadium with the return of Ronaldo, another prolific goal-scoring machine.

But it was Jesse Lingard who enjoyed a successful spell on loan in East London last season who took the headlines by coming off the bench to curl a superb, stunning solo goal into the top corner in the final minutes of the game which gave United all three points.

Said Benrahma’s deflected opener had given West Ham the lead. Ronaldo’s fourth goal of the season levelled things up five minutes later and laid the foundation for the drama that was to come — and what drama it was!

West Ham were awarded a spot-kick deep into stoppage-time taken by Captain Mark Noble, who was brought on specifically to take the penalty. But in a dramatic final twist, the West Ham captain’s first touch from the spot drew an inspired save from United keeper David de Gea, as our Jimmy would say ‘it’s a funny old game’ God Rest In Peace.

Mickey Ambrose is a former Charlton and Chelsea player who lives in Stratford

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