Bowyer grateful for Jimmy Armfield's best wishes

Blackpool legend Jimmy Armfield has sent his best wishes to Gary Bowyer and his players ahead of their crunch play-off decider at Luton.
Blackpool legend Jimmy ArmfieldBlackpool legend Jimmy Armfield
Blackpool legend Jimmy Armfield

Bowyer revealed the World Cup winner and former Blackpool captain got in touch after Sunday’s 3-2 first-leg win to chew over the game.

Armfield has remained in contact with Bowyer ever since the former Blackburn manager arrived at Bloomfield Road in pre-season, and the Pool boss says he’s only too happy to take on board Jimmy’s words of wisdom.

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“We spoke before the game on Saturday and he wished us all the best,” Bowyer revealed.

“Then on Monday morning my phone went and he was feeding back to me, giving me his views.

“Unfortunately he wasn’t able to get to the game but he was able to watch it and he fed back. He’s a brilliant bloke and I have to say he’s been a real help for me.

“On the first day I arrived he was on the phone and two days later we met on the training ground.

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“He’s popped in several times throughout the course of the season and he has been brilliant.

“I had never met him before I came here but people had spoken so highly of him, and now I can see why.

“He’s a terrific bloke and a legend of this football club.”

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Armfield, who last year revealed to The Gazette that he is being treated for cancer for a second time, played over 600 games for the Seasiders in a career that spanned almost 20 years.

The former right-back was a one-club man and remains as interested in the club as he ever was in the past. He’s even given Bowyer advice on team selection and is not afraid to pass on any criticism.

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Bowyer joked: “Trust me, he doesn’t hold back. He even questioned one of my substitutions a couple of weeks ago.

“It’s been great for me, though. I love listening to him.

“He’s a proper football man and the stories he’s got dating back to the World Cups, playing for England and playing for Blackpool are all fascinating.

“He speaks so passionately about the game and he still loves it now. It rubs off on you.

“We’ve got him in and he’s met the players. I think that’s important because the players ought to know what he means to this football club.”