FA to pay tribute to Jimmy Armfield at tonight's England game

The FA will pay tribute to Blackpool's greatest ever son Jimmy Armfield tonight ahead of England's international friendly against Italy at Wembley.
Armfield in action for England in 1960Armfield in action for England in 1960
Armfield in action for England in 1960

Armfield passed away at the age of 82 in January after a long battle with cancer.

He famously played the whole of his Football League career at Blackpool, usually at right back.

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In a playing career that spanned 17 years, he played 627 games in all competitions, scored six goals, and spent a decade as the club's captain.

He also represented the England national team 43 times between 1959 and 1966, and captained them in 15 games.

He was a member of England's 1966 World Cup-winning squad - but only received his medal in 2009, 43 years on from the famous triumph - having been one of 11 reserves that didn’t feature in the final against West Germany.

But it is his time spent wearing the famous tangerine for what he will be most fondly remembered.

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On December 27, 1954, Armfield made the first of 627 appearances in a Blackpool shirt away at Portsmouth.

Armfield sadly passed away on January 22, 2018Armfield sadly passed away on January 22, 2018
Armfield sadly passed away on January 22, 2018

He played his final game for Blackpool on May 1, 1971, in front of a crowd of over 30,000 against Manchester United at Bloomfield Road, in what would be the last game played by Blackpool in the top flight of English football for almost 40 years.

The FA will also pay tribute to Cyrille Regis, who also passed away in January.