Burgess: Thanks for the memories Jimmy

Burgess, who made 126 appearances for the Seasiders from 2006 to 2010, was “devastated” when he heard the news of Armfield’s death.

The Gazette columnist got to know Armfield well during his time at Bloomfield Road but it was also their shared love of journalism that they bonded over.

“It’s not often you get to meet such a legend who has a statue built for them while they’re still alive,” he told The Gazette.

“It was always an honour to see him. We’d often see him around the training ground, especially when Ian Holloway was there. I think Ian really valued his opinion.

“It was just nice to chat with him. I spent a lot of my Blackpool career injured so I would spend a lot of my time inside while the rest were training which meant I could talk to him.

“He knew I was doing a journalism degree at the time and he took a real interest in that.

“I think his son was doing a similar course as well at the time, so he had plenty of advice and stories for me.

“I had the journalism in common with him which was good, but my footballing career was nowhere near as good as his.

“But we had that passion for journalism and he knew it was an area I was into. So it was always nice to chat to him about that.

“It just shows the scope of the topics he was able to talk about. He was a very intelligent guy and it was a pleasure to meet him and a pleasure and an honour to have had those chats.”

Burgess, now a primary school teacher, was informed of the news by one of his colleagues on Monday morning.

He added: “My first reaction was one of devastation really. Someone at school mentioned it and it was awfully sad to hear the news.

“It’s sad for the whole of the football community, you’re not just talking about Blackpool where he was obviously a legend. The whole of football is mourning him and it’s awfully sad.

“But he achieved so much in his career so he certainly won’t be forgotten.

“It’s not often you get to meet legends like that and I think you probably take it a for granted at the time.

“But when you realise what he’s achieved in the game as well as the rest of his life, it’s just phenomenal.

“For Blackpool to have someone like that is just excellent. It was an honour to play for the same club as him.

“You just see the tributes pouring in from all over, it just shows the high regard he’s held in – not just in football but life.

“There’s not that many people like that who have achieved so much but still make time for everyone, which he always did. He always had time to share a few words with you and give you some advice.

“The lads would always sit around him and just listen to what he had to say.

“He’s a legendary guy and even on the radio, just look at how long he was on for. You look at some commentators now and you can’t even stand them for 90 minutes.

“With Jimmy you’re looking at 35 years and people were still enjoying listening to him because he was so passionate and knew all about the game.

“That knowledge and enthusiasm won’t be replaced.”