Jimmy Greaves told he ‘won’t walk again’ but Tottenham legend vows to keep fighting after surviving

[Dharmabum]

http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/foo...-keep-fighting-after-surviving-a3190921.html?

Jimmy Greaves told he ‘won’t walk again’ but Tottenham legend vows to keep fighting after surviving stroke

Jimmy Greaves has revealed he has been told by doctors that he ‘won’t walk again’ after suffering a stroke last May.

The Tottenham and England legend, 76, was admitted to hospital last summer before regaining consciousness, though the former striker was unable to speak.

Nine months on, Greaves continues his road to recovery, but admits he has been left ‘devastated’ by the news, but will always continue the fight.

“I remain in a wheelchair and it’s now likely I will stay this way for the rest of my life,” Greaves told the Sunday People.

“The doctors have told me I won’t walk again and that I will always need ongoing care.

“It was devastating to hear them say that but I will never stop trying to get better - and the main thing is that I’m still here fighting all the way.”

Greaves is regarded as one of the greatest English goalscorers of all time - he scored 44 goals in 57 games for his country and also netted a club-record 266 times in 379 matches for Tottenham.

fter retiring from the game, Greaves co-hosted the popular Saturday lunchtime football show Saint and Greavsie alongside former Liverpool forward Ian St John.

The ex-Tottenham, Chelsea and West Ham star suffered a minor stroke in 2012, but appeared to have made a full recovery.

“My day-to-day life has changed quite considerably, but there’s no point asking, ‘Why me?’, Greaves continued.

“I’m not feeling sorry for myself, I’m just taking each day as it comes and trying to make small improvements all the time.

“If I can lift my arm that little bit further than before, that’s an improvement and I can take heart from that.

“My speech has come on a lot and I can communicate on the phone now.

“I’m watching a lot of sport on the TV and I get out of the house with my sons Andy and Danny whenever I can. You have to focus on the positives.

“I’ve still got my sense of humour and I’ve got my family all around me helping me all of the time. There are a lot of people I have to thank, but especially my family.

“They’ve supported me all the way and I couldn’t have got this far without them. I’m realistic about the future but I’ll never give up trying to improve.

“I still have a belief and a hope that I can keep getting better.”

Greaves was due to be inducted to Tottenham’s hall of fame last May, but the event was postponed due to his health. The ceremony will now take place on April 20th, alongside fellow icon Steve Perryman.

"Jimmy was just a genius. A great guy, a fantastic footballer and an amazing goalscorer in that great Tottenham team of the 1960s. "

Harry Redknapp, in his Evening Standard column

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...tml?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

 

[RickyVilla]

Fucking love you Greavsie.

 

[Hoddlesrightboot]

Wouldn't hurt the Club to pay our greatest ever goalscorer's health costs for his remaining few years. He never earned what the lads earn now and it sounds like he could do with a bit of help.
What about a nice one-off payment Spurs, to help him while he's down?

 

[hellava_tough]

True legend.

Would be great if he could see us win the league this year.

 

[BuryMeInEngland]

Wouldn't hurt the Club to pay our greatest ever goalscorer's health costs for his remaining few years. He never earned what the lads earn now and it sounds like he could do with a bit of help.
What about a nice one-off payment Spurs, to help him while he's down?

This on the official club site. Good to know they are doing something for this real legend:

http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/jimmy-greaves-update-290216/

Several years ago the Club set up and funded the Tottenham Tribute Trust (TTT) to specifically assist ex-players. We have a long track record of providing such assistance, not all of which we talk about publicly in the interests of preserving the dignity of the player and family concerned. The Trustees of the TTT work tirelessly to ensure that funds are appropriately assigned and that the support is seamless. Medical care providers are often paid direct removing any stress or worry from the player receiving care.

The TTT and the Club have been working closely with the Greaves family to ensure his needs are met while he continues his recovery.

To date, through the TTT, we have contributed towards rehabilitation costs for Jimmy to have private therapy, necessary transport to receive further intense treatment in London together with a required procedure, and the purchase of equipment to aid his quality of life now he is permanently home.

In addition, along with the Professional Footballers’ Association, who are also assisting with Jimmy’s recovery, we have co-funded the installation of a wet room at Jimmy's home.

We have recently confirmed that Jimmy will be inducted into our Hall of Fame on Wednesday, April 20, along with another Club great, Steve Perryman. Jimmy was originally set to be inducted last year but the event was unfortunately postponed after he fell ill.

Proceeds from the evening will be made available through the Tottenham Tribute Trust to Jimmy and his family.

“We are all very grateful and indebted to the Tottenham Tribute Trust, the charity created and supported by Tottenham Hotspur, for their ongoing and invaluable support for Dad. This has very much aided his continuing recovery,” said Jimmy’s son Danny, on behalf of the Greaves family.

“The Tribute Trust has provided great support to our family, staying in close contact and visiting Dad during his recent stay in The Wellington Hospital. Further thanks are extended to the PFA, who work closely with the TTT.

“It is a great comfort to know that Club Legends are never forgotten.

 

[Hoddlesrightboot]

I didn't know that, well done Spurs. That is fantastic, cheers for the updste Burymeinengland

 

[Spurs 1961]

One of the few real geniuses in sport in my lifetime and remains my footballing all time hero

 

[littlewilly]

One of the few real geniuses in sport in my lifetime and remains my footballing all time hero

Me too. As a point of interest Spurs 1961 [and anyone else], I have a facsimile of Jimmy's original contract with Tottenham dated 20 November 1961. I'll try and figure a way of posting a copy on here.

 

[Gassin's finest]

Hearing that he won't walk again makes me incredibly sad. But I was at the lane when they made that announcement about the hall of fame, which is a very good move... even though he won't be able to attend. Would love to see him on the pitch before the ground gets demolished.

 

[Spurs 1961]

Me too. As a point of interest Spurs 1961 [and anyone else], I have a facsimile of Jimmy's original contract with Tottenham dated 20 November 1961. I'll try and figure a way of posting a copy on here.

Cool!

 

[JimmyG2]

Some sad news about Jimmy's current state of health.
Saint hasn't visited for some time
because he has been told that Jimmy wouldn't recognise him.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2016/oct/26/donald-trump-rumbelows-cup-saint-and-greavsie-ian-st-john-jimmy-greaves.

It's at the end of an article on Saint and Greavsie meeting Donald Trump

St John lets out another of his infectious chuckles, but his mood becomes instantly sombre when he speaks about how Greaves remains “very ill” following the severe stroke the 76-year-old suffered in May and how the pair, once so close, on and off screen, have not been in each other’s company for longer than he’d care to remember. “I’ve offered to go down and see him but been told it’s not worth it as he wouldn’t know I’m there, or if he did, he wouldn’t be able to say much to me,” St John adds with an unmistakable sadness in his voice. “I think about Jimmy all the time and just pray he gets better.”

 

[Gassin's finest]

That's hard to take tbh. Poor Jimmy.