Bamber glad to listen to Blackpool legend Armfield's advice

The 58-year-old former striker paid tribute to his fellow Blackpool Hall of Fame member.

Striker Bamber spent two spells with the Seasiders from 1979-83 and 1990-94 and praised Armfield for being a part of the club’s fabric and always being on hand for advice or help.

Bamber, goalscorer in Blackpool’s Fourth Division play-off winning team of 1992, believes the fact that nobody has a bad word for Armfield says it all, especially in an industry like football.

He said: “Jimmy used to pass on advice. He was a nice, helpful guy and nobody had a bad word to say about him, which is a rarity in football.

“He lived just down the road from the club and used to just pop in.

“He used to help the managers and give them a bit of advice. He was always there to offer advice.

“He was a helpful guy around the football club and he was a positive influence for people.

“He was a good guy and it is a sad day for the whole of football.

“He’d been pretty poorly for some time but he lived in the town and he was always around the town, which was nice. He was always a really nice guy to me.

“He used to love coming down and having a chat with the lads just generally about life, football and about the town. He was a very sound guy in my experience.

“Jimmy just said a few things that might help you individually or about different positions. He was always the first to try to help.

“He wasn’t one of those who would criticise players. He was there to say, ‘Try doing this’ or ‘Try doing that’.

“He was happy to pass on anything he might notice by watching the games with the knowledge he had accumulated, which was massive.”

And Bamber says Armfield will forever be an important part of the club. He added: “He will certainly be up there with the best.

“He was part of the fabric of the town and he will always be remembered very fondly.

“Jimmy will be missed because he was an important figure who played an important part in the club’s history.

“He had a great life, played for England and the club, and was a radio commentator. He is a role model for anybody.”