Jimmy Armfield: How to pay your respects as funeral details are announced

Fans are expected to line the streets for the former Blackpool and England captain’s procession next Thursday, ahead of a private service at St Peter’s Church in Lytham Road, South Shore, where he played the organ, and was churchwarden and treasurer.

A memorial service will also be arranged ‘for all those who loved him to celebrate his life’, Helen Ashmore Funeral Service said.

Jimmy, who made a record number of appearances for the Seasiders before forging out a successful career in broadcasting, died last Monday following a long fight against cancer. He was 82.

Fans gathered inside and outside Bloomfield Road on Saturday, for tributes that went ahead despite Pool’s game against Charlton being called off by the referee because of a waterlogged pitch.

Christine Seddon from Blackpool Supporters’ Trust said she expects fans will turn out again to say a final goodbye to the sporting icon.

She said: “It’s a working day so it will be difficult for some, but I’m sure people – as they turned out on Saturday – will turn out for this too.”

The cortege will pass along Bloomfield Road and drive around the pitch at noon next Thursday, February 8.

The funeral service is scheduled to take place half an hour later, and is restricted to family and the close friends of Jimmy and his wife Anne, a family announcement read. We ask for our wishes to be respected as there is limited seating at church,” it added.

The service will be followed by a private committal. Though family flowers only have been requested, donations in Jimmy’s memory can be made to Trinity Hospice, which cared for him during his final days, and where he was president.

Around £1,000 was donated to the Bispham hospice, in Low Moor Road, in the days following Jimmy’s death.

And a further £4,855 was collected by volunteers on Saturday, when fans gathered inside Bloomfield Road to see Blackpool manager Gary Bowyer join his Charlton counterpart Karl Robinson laying wreaths in front of the Armfield stand.

Mr Bowyer had earlier joined supporters at Jimmy’s statue outside the ground, where he also laid a wreath and joined in with a minute’s applause. He said: “Jimmy was an unbelievable man and to be involved in that was a huge privilege. To be the manager on this day is a great honour.”

Blackpool said it would donate the proceeds of home tickets sold since last Monday to Trinity, while profits from match programmes will also be donated, the club said, while 627 limited edition Jimmy Armfield statue badges were sold from the club shop for £10 each.

Trinity’s head of fundraising, Linzi Young, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of Blackpool supporters, the various fans’ groups, and also by the goodwill of the club in recent days.”

Those attending the church service should email [email protected] or call 01253 853574.