Former Hammer Jimmy Greaves has reportedly been supported in his battle against illness by rockstar Phil Collins it has been reported.
Greaves, who suffered a stroke five years ago and has been unable to walk and talk since, was admitted to hospital last Tuesday for an unspecified illness, but has not tested positive for the virus or suffered another stroke.
Collins – who is best known as the drummer/singer of Genesis – is said to have idolised Greaves as a child, and has been secretly supporting the 80-year-old by privately donating money.
Reported by the Daily Star, Greaves’ agent Terry Baker said: “Phil Collins phones me regularly to see how Jimmy is and made a substantial donation.”
While best remembered for his time at Chelsea and Spurs he joined West Hami n March 1970 as part-exchange in 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 as a Hammer 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.
Nobes is one of a group of West Ham stalwarts who never achieved success in the national team. Ticker Boyce remains one of the most skilled and consistent players I’ve ever seen. He didn’t score a lot of goals, but with the players he had in front of him he didn’t need to. At the time he was probably kept out of the England team by the likes of Sir Bobby Charlton, but in the modern game with larger squads I’d like to think he’d have had a better chance. I think the same goes for Billy Bonds, the only player I’ve ever seen win a 50/50 ball with a glare. Legend!
Apologies! Posted this in the wrong box.