Community pays tribute to Blackpool hero's life of public service

All painted a picture of a man who genuinely cared and took a detailed interest in society, the community and in people, with particular interests in health, crime, the elderly and young people.

He was a former High Sheriff of Lancashire, was involved with Blackpool’s Trinity Hospice over the past 30 years, was patron of Age UK Blackpool, Lancashire Outward Bound Association and of N Vision, was a lay canon of Blackburn Cathedral and played the organ at his church St Peter’s Church on Lytham Road, South Shore.

He was chairman of the Lancashire Partnership Against Crime, was in constant demand to officiate at local functions and opening ceremonies and was made a freeman of Blackpool in 2003.

Blackpool South MP Gordon Marsden was heartbroken at the news and said Blackpool, and the world, would be the poorer for the passing of a man who took such an active part in the community and public life.

He said: "Jimmy Armfield embodied all that was best about Blackpool, the town that he adopted after being an evacuee during the Second World War.

"He will be a huge, huge loss not just to Blackpool but to the footballing world and the world in general. He was a great footballer, gaining 43 caps for England and leading them out on 15 occasions, a powerful football manager and of course as a hugely influential football commentator and journalist. He set new standards on insight, balance and accuracy.

"As important as all that, he was a great human being. In all my years in public life I have never come across someone so distinguished but so absolutely modest and full of decorum.

"He never forgot his origins, which were quite humble. He poured himself into public service with an interest in so many charities and organisations.

"He was never afraid to talk straight but he always did it in a positive and constructive way. The was not an ounce of malice in him.

"I always benefited from his advice and will miss the many years of friendship and support he gave to me.

"They don't make people like Jimmy Armfield any more and the world will be an immeasurably poorer place without him. My thoughts are with his wife Anne and his family."

Paul Maynard, MP for Blackpool North and Cleveleys, said: “Jimmy Armfield will be remembered for far more than his contribution to football.

“He was an ambassador for Blackpool, a tireless campaigner for many local charities and a man who held the community close to his heart.

“Blackpool has not only lost a sporting hero, the town has lost a true friend. My thoughts are with his family at this sad time.”

Fylde MP Mark Menzies said: "I had the pleasure of meeting Jimmy on a number of occasions and he was an absolute gentleman.

"I was always impressed by the fact that throughout his life he dedicated so much time to other people.

"Jimmy always sought to inspire other generations within not just his own community, but much further afield.

"It is a sad day indeed."

Jimmy had an abiding interest in Blackpool Victoria Hospital was involved in the Blue Skies Hospital Fund Peace of Mind dementia appeal, a subject he said was close to his heart.

He opened the 72 metre long memory corridor at Blackpool Victoria Hospital which is designed to help the hospital’s dementia patients by triggering memories and stimulating conversation.

At the time he said: “I have had family and friends who have lived with dementia and I know it has left loved ones around feeling uncertain and helpless.

“Of late there has been some publicity given to the subject but I believe it needs to be addressed on a national basis, particularly as the population has increased and the fact that people are living longer.

“The truth is it can affect any of us, and that is why I believe for people with dementia we need to ensure the best medical and care environment we can. That is why I am supporting the Blue Skies Peace of Mind appeal and I think the public needs to get involved.”

Wendy Swift, Chief Executive of Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We are deeply saddened to hear about the death of Jimmy Armfield CBE.

"As well as being a football legend Jimmy was a lovely, caring man who played a massive part in the health community of the Fylde coast.

"He was a Non Executive Director with the Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde Community Health Services Trust and a Non Executive Director with the Blackpool Hospitals Trust. In both roles he always put patients first.

"In recent years he was a great supporter of the Altogether Now health campaign for Blackpool, backed our Blue Skies Hospitals charity and officially opened the Dementia Corridor at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

"He was also instrumental in raising the profile of our health services, bringing celebrities such as Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton to support local NHS events.

"He leaves an amazing legacy and I know all the staff, governors and volunteers across all Fylde coast health services would want us to thank him for his support.

"We would like to express our deepest sympathies to his wife Ann, his sons and his family. He will be a huge loss."

Crime and the prospects for the deprived young people of the county were also to the fore of Jimmy's interests. He was chairman of the Lancashire Partnership Against Crime which works with police businesses and community groups.

Al Yousuf, manager of the Lancashire Partnership Against Crime worked with Jimmy for ten years and said he was not just the chairman of the organisation, but a true friend.

He said; "He loved the community and simply wanted to help in any way he could. It was his dedication which stood out and the interest he took in everything.

"He was our chairman since 2007 and took a real interest in the work we do. He was always keen to get involved in the various projects, anything to do with sport and community safety.

"He used to inspire the young people at the projects. I remember him coming down to one in Poulton, a boxing gym. He put on the gloves and had a go with the bags and talked to the youngsters about how dedication was important. He told a story about how as a young man he used to e constantly kicking a ball against a wall and look how far that got him! It really inspired the young people.

"He was an icon and an ambassador and helped Lanpac greatly with our work. He was a regular at meetings and used to call me up about things in the evenings and weekends.

"He came to our 25th anniversary celebration at Police Headquarters on October 29 and he looked very well despite his illness. He never let it stop him and was often on the phone to me keeping an interest. I used to tell him he should be looking after himself, but he was very dedicated.

"He had a great interest in helping the elderly, protecting them against scams and was keen to learn about diversity. Always asking questions. We will all miss him without a doubt not just as a chairman but as a friend and a great man."

Clive Grunshaw, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire, said: "We will all remember Jimmy Armfield for his broadcasting skills and his commitment on the pitch. But in recent years it was his work off the pitch and in the local community which made him more than a footballer, and showed his commitment to the people of Lancashire.

"His work as chair (of Lanpac) has enabled the group to support a whole range of fantastic local projects to reduce crime. Many of these would not have been possible without his work.

"We all owe Jimmy an enormous debt of gratitude for the work he has done over the years, and we want to take his legacy forward into the work we do in the future."

Blackpool town crier Barry McQueen was often present when Jimmy carried out his civic engagements.

He said: "He was a wonderful man and I am very sorry to hear the news. I have had the privilege of meeting him many many times on civic occasions over the years. For example, we laid the foundation stone of the Debenhams store in town and launched the poppy appeal together. He was a great man, a gentleman and a great loss for Blackpool."

Nigel Law, chairman of the Lancashire Outward Bound Association said: “We are saddened to hear that Jimmy has died. Jimmy actively supported our association for over 25 years, both as our president and for the last 10 years, as its patron.

"All our volunteers will miss him and we pass on our thoughts and prayers to his family”