LIVE: Blackpool to pay tribute to Jimmy Armfield

The town of Blackpool will come together today to pay tribute to its greatest son, Jimmy Armfield.
Supporters will congregate at Armfield's statueSupporters will congregate at Armfield's statue
Supporters will congregate at Armfield's statue

Blackpool Supporters' Trust will host their tribute at Armfield's statue outside Bloomfield Road, where they will hold a minute's applause and lay a wreath.

It was due to begin at 2.30pm but supporters have now been advised to get there earlier as large numbers are expected.

Armfield's family are also due to attend the tribute.

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Further tributes will then be held inside the ground prior to kick off, with Blackpool taking on Charlton Athletic at 3pm.

At the request of the Armfield family, who will be in attendance for the fixture at Bloomfield Road, a minute's applause will be held to remember Jimmy.

The two teams will emerge from the tunnel five minutes earlier than normal, with the Blackpool players wearing specially printed 'Armfield 2' t-shirts.

Players will wear special 'Jimmy-2' t-shirtsPlayers will wear special 'Jimmy-2' t-shirts
Players will wear special 'Jimmy-2' t-shirts

Once the teams enter the field of play, a delegation, to include managers Gary Bowyer and Karl Robinson, will lay wreaths in front of the Armfield Stand.

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Reverend Michael Ward, a close friend of the Armfield family, will then read a memorial prayer, to be followed by a speech from PA announcer Tony Parr.

The minute's applause will then commence prior to the game getting underway.

Itinerary (approximate times):

Players will wear special 'Jimmy-2' t-shirtsPlayers will wear special 'Jimmy-2' t-shirts
Players will wear special 'Jimmy-2' t-shirts

2.40pm - Three of Jimmy Armfield's favourite songs to be played

2.48pm - Former Blackpool players to form a guard of honour

2.50pm - Teams to emerge from the tunnel

2.52pm - Delegation to lay wreaths in front of the Armfield Stand

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2.55pm - A Memorial Prayer from Rev. Michael Ward 2.57pm - A speech about Jimmy and his career by Tony Parr

2.59pm - A minute's applause

Volunteers from Trinity Hospice will be holding bucket collections in and around the stadium, with revenue from home ticket sales also being donated to the Hospice.

The Armfield t-shirts will also be donated to Trinity Hospice in the aftermath of the game to be utilised for fundraising purposes.

Since the tragic news, many have called for Blackpool supporters to put aside the club politics and pack out Bloomfield Road this Saturday to pay tribute to the club's greatest ever son.

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Manager Gary Bowyer even called for the fans to "put everything to the side" and fill the ground to pay tribute to the great man.

But others insist that, with the Oystons still in charge, their only option is to pay their respects at Armfield's statue outside.

The Trust says it is a matter of "individual conscience" and whatever decision people make, they should be respected.