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Greaves’ wife unhappy with New Year honour

Former Hammer Jimmy Greaves has received an MBE in the New Year’s Honours for his services to football.

While best remembered for his time at Chelsea and Spurs he joined West Ham in March 1970 in part-exchange for the  Martin Peters’ transfer to White Hart Lane.

He scored two goals on his “Hammers” debut on 21 March, in a 5–1 win against Manchester City at Maine Road.

His final game came on 1 May 1971 in a 1–0 home defeat to Huddersfield Town. Greaves scored 13 goals in 40 games in all competitions for West Ham.

After leaving West Ham he took a two-year break from football before joining lower league side Brentwood then Chelmsford City both local to him. 

Greaves suffered a severe stroke in 2015 and was confined to a wheelchair, is April this year he was admitted to hospital but was later discharged.

His wife Irene believes the MBE honour is too little, too late.

She said: It is a small degree of recognition for him. But my reaction is that it’s 20 years too late and it’s not a very good honour. I think he’s worth more than that. ‘He still holds all those records and he’s done so many things in his life. Now he’s 80, he’s had a stroke and they do something about it. 

‘To me, it feels like they have the attitude that they’ve got to give him something so let’s give him that, because it will stop people going on about it. So I’m not too happy about it, but that’s how I feel.’

 

About Sean Whetstone

I am Season Ticket Holder in West stand lower at the London Stadium and before that, I used to stand in the Sir Trevor Brooking Lower Row R seat 159 in the Boleyn Ground and in the Eighties I stood on the terraces of the old South Bank. I am a presenter on the West Ham Podcast called MooreThanJustaPodcast.co.uk. A Blogger on WestHamTillIdie.com a member of the West Ham Supporters Advisory Board (SAB), Founder of a Youtube channel called Mr West Ham Football at http://www.youtube.com/MrWestHamFootball, I am also the associate editor here at Claret and Hugh. Life Long singer of bubbles! Come on you Irons! Follow me at @Westhamfootball on twitter

10 comments on “Greaves’ wife unhappy with New Year honour

  1. I totally agree with Jimmy;s wife. Too little, too late

    • I totally agree with Jimmy’s wife 4 me it does seem like oh better do something the man is 80 yrs old and bk in the day could score goals as far as I know he still holds the record at spurs for being their all time goal scorer some feat that represents his country yes I agree it’s to late should of had this 30yrs ago and a OBE not a MBE just my opinion and yes iam a west ham fan

    • I agree that it’s too late but it is what it is. If she feels that strongly then send it back. Alas you can’t always get what you want, when you want it. I understand that there are many people who have similar or higher honours and who maybe don’t deserve them but life’s not about that. Everyone knows Greavsey and he has the respect of millions of people. Surely that’s more important?

  2. Could not agree more.
    The man is a legend and should have been recognised years ago.
    His Wife will know that real fans did this.

  3. Sorry that Mrs Greaves is not impressed. Sounds like she would be happier with no recognition at all. Jimmy Greaves was a legend, a true legend as I was growing up. Actually saw him play for us against Chelsea in 1971. All my dreams came true when he was a Hammer. Loved him on Saint and Greavsie. Congratulations, Jimmy. Thank you for all the memories and your company through the years. MBE is a worthwhile honour and you should be proud to receive it. Best honour of all is the effect of your touch on our lives. Thank you again. Enjoy the recognition.
    COYI

  4. Disgusting , while they give hamilton a sir status, whose done nothing except drive an unbeatable car for last 6 years, lives in Monaco and Switzerland to avoid UK tax , I wonder why

    • The Americans do it the right way – they name an important building be it a hospital or library after someone rather than give a meaningless title

    • Disgraceful behaviour from Mrs Greaves seems very entitled like Beckham okay she and Posh for that matter will never be able to call themselves Ladies but an MBE is genuine recognition for Jimmy’s achievements. Anyway he spent much of his life in a drunken stupor his TV career was execrable and today he’s a vegetable so probably wouldn’t understand awards.

  5. Congratulations to Jimmy Greaves on his award. Unfortunately, rather than the occasion being used for renewed recognition of his life achievements in football for both clubs and country, it has sadly been soured with what comes across as bitterness.
    There have been thousands of people both outside the public eye as well as those in the public eye that have never been fortunate enough to receive such an award. I hope that his wife’s comments do not detract or take the spotlight away from Jimmy.
    COYI

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