[Bispham Seasider]

There is a new (today) online petition to try and get Blackpool FC legend Jimmy Armfield knighted.

Jimmy only ever played for Blackpool making over 627 appearances from 1954 - 1971 at right back. At the 1962 World Cup he was recognised as then being "the best right back in the world". He was also the first "overlapping right back". He won 43 caps for England and was England captain 15 times. He was part of the 1966 England World Cup squad but missed out playing through injury. His final game for the 'Pool was on 1 May 1971 against Manchester United, a match which was the clubs last match in the First Division (now The Premiership), the top flight of English football.

He has for many years worked for BBC Radio as a football pundit and also works as a consultant for the English FA. He still lives in Blackpool where he was the organist at his local church for over 30 years. In 2001 he was made a Lay Cannon at Blackburn Cathedral. And he has served as Deputy Lieutenant of the County Palatine of Lancashire in 2004 and in 2005-06 he served as the High Sheriff of Lancashire, a position which dates back to 1160AD, and honour bestowed by the Queen in her position as Duke of Lancaster.

In May 2007 he announced that he had been undergoing treatment for non-hodgkin lymphona in his throat, and for the next few months he was out of the public limelight. However, on 22 September he was the half time guest at Blackpools home match against Colchester United, and such was the warmth of the reception for him receiving a standing ovation, that the second half nearly had to be delayed as the clubs fans continued their applause for the man they affectionately dub "Sir" Jimmy. He is one of lifes genuine nice guys with a heart of gold.

Please consider signing the petition, which has only just been set up, and forwarding it on to others for them to sign too. The petiton sponsors hope to get the local newspaper backing too.

Thank you for reading!

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/jimmyarmfield

[Cmack]

Signed!

[Dynamogal]

Added my name to the petition.

[Art Vandaley]

sir jimbo!

[Bispham Seasider]

The petition is coming along nicely considering it hasn't been publicised so far outside a couple of forums. The plan being to ask the Blackpool Gazette and other local media to see if they will mention it.

In addition a UK Government petition site has been found. This petition has a time limit, which has been set at three months. So long as the petition has 200 signatories by that time, the government are obliged to respond. However, petitions need to be approved, and it can take up to five working days to be accepted. The petition was set up yesterday and so we should know by next Wednesday whether or not it has been accepted. Both petitions though will continue concurrently and I will piost the link to that too when known!