Blackpool mourns Jimmy as book of condolences is opened

That’s how well-wishers yesterday said they would remember Jimmy Armfield, following his death at the age of 82 in the early hours of Monday.Books of condolences were opened at Blackpool Town Hall in Talbot Road, and at St Peter’s Church in Lytham Road, South Shore, where the ex-Blackpool and England captain was a member and organist.The memories shared painted a picture of a much-loved public figure who made time for everyone and shunned the celebrity tag modern multi-millionaire footballers wear with pride.Former Blackpool mayoress Barbara Hardy, whose late husband Norman played football with Jimmy when he was a youngster, was among the first to note her sympathies in the book, which was placed just inside the town hall’s entrance in Talbot Road.The 80-year-old, who moved to Poulton following her husband’s sudden death in 2013, wrote simply: “Just to say goodbye.”Mrs Hardy and her husband, who was mayor in 2009/10, were at the Imperial Hotel when Jimmy was awarded the Freedom of Blackpool, alongside late Pleasure Beach chairman Doris Thompson, in 2003.And she told The Gazette yesterday he would be remembered as a ‘pure gent’ and ‘ordinary’. “He was so down to Earth, he never forgot his roots,” she said. “Unfortunately, he [Coun Hardy] died four years ago but I believe he and Jimmy played football together when they were younger.“Norman went to St Joseph’s and Jimmy went to Arnold so that could be how that happened – although Norman was not quite to Jimmy’s standards. “I just hope that somewhere Norman and Jimmy might be together again. Jimmy could give Norman some tips!”Mrs Hardy, who said she sent Jimmy a cross-stitched card when he served as High Sheriff of Lancashire in 2005/06, said she signed the book of condolences because she ‘thought it would be a nice thing to do to remember’ him.She added: “I used to bump into him in Morrison’s sometimes, which somebody has written in the book already.”That message – written by ‘Sam’ – tells an amusing anecdote: “Will miss seeing you in Morrison’s, ‘Sir’ Jimmy – can’t believe it was only about three weeks ago I saw you. I remember seeing you in there about 2/3 years ago when Pool were struggling in Div 1. “When I mentioned it, you said, ‘I wish I could still put my b****y boots on!’ I bet you did. RIP.”Christopher Beverley, assistant coroner and vice-chairman at Trinity Hospice, where Jimmy died surrounded by loved ones after a brave fight against cancer, wrote: “A name which will long be remembered in Blackpool. Not only a true sportsman but a supporter of so many organisations in the town.”And Karen Vernon, who works at the town hall and was the first to leave a message, said Jimmy was ‘the footballer of Blackpool’. She added: “A genuine engaging gentleman, a great familiar face of Blackpool. Rest eternally.”The book is expected to remain open for at least a week and until Jimmy’s funeral is held.