Tottenham’s former striker Jimmy Greaves remains in hospital under the watch of medical staff
Tottenham and England legend Jimmy Greaves is comfortable after spending Tuesday night in hospital.
Greaves was feeling well enough to call his wife Irene for a short telephone conversation on Wednesday morning.
He is not thought to have suffered another stroke and has no symptoms of coronavirus but he will remain in hospital for further tests and observation.
Jimmy Greaves was admitted to hospital in Chelmsford near his home in Essex on Tuesday
He is confined to a wheelchair and requires regular professional care
There was nothing to suggest he had been suffering from symptoms related to coronavirus
Greaves is 80 years old and has been in poor health since a major stroke which left him disabled in 2015.
He requires professional care four times a day and his nurses were concerned by his condition when they attended his home in Essex on Tuesday and called for an ambulance which took him to hospital in nearby Chelmsford.
The news sparked concern among his many fans when it was confirmed by Spurs.
Greaves is English football’s greatest goalscorer with 357 goals in Division One, a top-flight record which remains untouched almost 49 years after he retired as a player.
Greaves was feeling well enough to call his wife Irene and speak on the phone on Wednesday
His life story was told in the film ‘Greavsie’ released in conjunction with his birthday
Greaves started at Chelsea before leaving for AC Milan and returning to London at Tottenham
Greaves, pictured at Stamford Bridge in 1957 as he started his playing career, is ‘comfortable’
He is Tottenham’s record scorer, he scored 44 goals in 57 games for England and was a key figure in the World Cup squad in 1966 although he was injured in the group stage and did not play in the final.
Greaves, who also played for Chelsea, AC Milan and West Ham, remained one of the nation’s best-loved personalities after his retirement when he conquered problems with alcohol and forged a new career as a TV pundit and presenter.
His family will release a statement when further information is available.
Spurs had released a statement on Tuesday night stating: ‘We can confirm that our record goalscorer Jimmy Greaves is currently being treated in hospital. We are in touch with his family and will provide further updates in due course. Everybody at the club sends their best wishes to Jimmy and his family.’
His record of 357 goals in the top flight of English football remains untouched 49 years later
He scored 44 goals in 57 games for England and was a key figure in the 1966 World Cup squad
Greaves scoring past Wales goalkeeper Jack Kelsey for the national team during his career
Greaves’ agent Terry Baker also released a statement on Tuesday saying: ‘I can confirm Jimmy is in hospital tonight. We will release a statement tomorrow regarding the condition, please please respect the family and if you are press do not phone his home tonight.
‘His current condition and prognosis will be revealed mid morning tomorrow. If you love him like I do, have good thoughts for him as you go to bed tonight. He is my biggest hero of all time and as lots of you know I kind of lived your dream by becoming best friends with him for over 20 years.
‘He has endured a very difficult five years since his massive stroke in 2015 so spare some time to think of my lovely mate tonight. And watch this space for an update tomorrow (Wednesday).’
His remarkable life story was told in the film Greavsie released in conjunction with his landmark birthday in February.
Earlier this year Sportsmail launched a ‘Gong for Greavsie’ campaign to see him formally honoured for his achievements.
Greaves celebrates after helping to beat former side Chelsea in the FA Cup final in 1967
His remarkable life story was told in the film Greavsie, released in February this year
Earlier this year Sportsmail launched a campaign to see him honoured for his achievements
