(Football news) England has seen some of the most magnificent goalscorers in their football history, from Sir Bobby Charlton, Alan Shearer, Gary Linekar, Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen, Harry Kane, Dixie Dean and Kevin Keegan but one man stood above them all as arguably the greatest out and out goalscorer in his or perhaps any generation, Jimmy Greaves.

In an era where there was no access to sports science, data analytics and advanced technology, Jimmy Greaves scored 44 goals in 57 games for England, the fourth highest total of all time. He holds a record of 366 goals in Europe’s top five leagues, an achievement that has only been eclipsed by Cristiano Ronaldo. 

Greaves played an integral part in Tottenham becoming the first English club to win a European trophy and also won two FA Cups with the North London side. He holds multiple club records, scoring 41 goals in the First Division in 1960/61 with Chelsea and his 37 league goals in the 1962/63 season remains a club record at Spurs. He was also a part of England’s 1966 World Cup winning squad, but an unfortunate shin injury meant that his replacement, Sir Geoff Hurst was the one who scored a hat-trick against West Germany in the finals.

Both Tottenham and Chelsea held a minute’s applause ahead of their Premier League match against each other this weekend to honour the exceptional contribution of the former striker. The 81 year old passed away on Sunday morning and is survived by his wife Irene, sons Andy and Danny and daughters Lynn and Mitzi.

Also read: Premier League: Dominant Chelsea brush aside Spurs as Liverpool and Arsenal gain three points