Tributes pour in for football pioneer Jimmy Hill



The former footballer, manager and Match of the Day presenter died on Saturday following a battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Football Association chairman Greg Dyke said he was "very saddened" by the news

"What was remarkable about Jimmy was that he went on to have so many different careers," he said on www.thefa.com.

"He was a successful player, a great manager at Coventry City and changed the game as Chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association - including the scrapping of the £20 maximum wage.

"He became a brilliant broadcaster, first at London Weekend Television and then at the BBC and helped transform the way we covered football

"He was a popular presenter, a hugely influential figure and, such was his style, he was loved by millions - even among those who didn't follow football.

"I knew him at the BBC

He always kept a simple charm and had a warm personality.

"Those are special qualities and helped him have a broad appeal, but he managed to combine that with a deep knowledge of football.

"His insightful analysis and strong-minded opinions helped bring the game to life and paved the way for the TV coverage of football that we love today

He was a true great of the game."

Hill successfully lobbied for the introduction of the three-points-for-a-win system in 1981 and also fought for the right for clubs to wear sponsors' logos on their shirts

He was also known for his outspoken views as a television pundit

Commentator John Motson, who worked with Hill at the BBC, described him on Radio 5 Live as "an instigator, an innovator and most of all an inspiration".

"He had a great personality, he was irrepressible, good humoured, great company, what more can you say about the man?," Motson added.

Mark Lawrenson, who also worked alongside Hill at the BBC, said: "What a great fellow, great story-teller, loved a laugh, enjoyed his life and he was just a massive, massive influence on football

Today's players have a massive gratitude of thanks to thank Jimmy Hill for what he did in football."

Gary Lineker, the former England striker turned Match of the Day presenter emphasised Hill's drive to make good ideas come to life

"He was a genuine innovator in all sorts of different ways, constantly thinking how to improve the game," he said on 5 Live.

"He had an enormous love and affection for the game of football

He made things happen

He was a very motivated person, hugely ambitious in terms of the things that he wanted to achieve, but he also made things happen.

"He wasn't just an innovator, he made things happen

It's all very well having good ideas, but most of his ideas became part of football fabric."

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor added: "He was football's equivalent of Christopher Columbus, a great explorer of ideas."

Hill's former clubs paid tribute too

Fulham, for whom he played between 1952 and 1961, said on Twitter: "Jimmy's contributions to the Club, on and off the field, were immeasurable."

Coventry paid tribute to their former manager and chairman, saying on Twitter: "Thank you for everything Jimmy, without you none of this would have been possible."

Hill transformed the club's fortunes in the 1960s, leading them from the old Third Division to the top flight.

Current boss Tony Mowbray said on the Sky Blues' official website: " There are very few examples which can contend with the amount Jimmy achieved at the club during such a small amount of time

He was a forward-thinker and a revolutionary who was determined to take Coventry and football forwards

"The changes he made gave the club, the city and the supporters an identity and a club they can be proud of, and for that, the club will be eternally grateful."

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand said on Twitter: " RIP Jimmy Hill

All round football man."

Former goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel added: "Jimmy Hill, one-off the most important people in football history on so many levels, we owe you! #RIPJimmyHill."

Source : PA

Source: PA