Legend of the game mourned by all

The former Match of the Day presenter, one of English football's most influential figures, passed away on Saturday at the age of 87 at his care home in West Sussex after a long battle with Alzheimer's.

Before kicking off in a 2-0 win at Whitstable Town on Saturday, Corinthian-Casuals donned black armbands as the players of both clubs joined their fans and officials, including Ryman League chairman Nick Robinson, in a minute's silence at The Belmont to pay tribute to one of the most familiar faces in football.

Saddened officials at the Surrey club will hold a further tribute on Tuesday when they host Dulwich Hamlet in the London Senior Cup with a minute's applause planned to celebrate the life of their late president and his remarkable achievements in football.

Diagnosed with the disease in 2008, the former player, manager, chairman and broadcaster was one the pioneers of the game having helped to establish a player's right to freedom of movement, commissioned the first English all-seater stadium and helped to lift the ban on media interviews.

As well as introducing the first electronic scoreboard in 1964 and the first colour match-day programme, he also played a key role in the Isthmian League becoming the first in English football to introduce three points for a win and securing the game's first sponsorship deal for the league with Rothmans in 1973.

After hearing the news, Corinthian-Casuals secretary Hanna Newton paid tribute to their late president who's been involved with the club for decades.

She said: "Everybody connected with the club was deeply upset and shocked to hear the news and our thoughts are with Jimmmy's family and friends and his wife Bryony.

"Jimmy Hill was involved with us for decades and is a massive loss. He made an invaluable contribution to football and our club over many years and we will pay tribute to all that he did on Tuesday night when we host Dulwich Hamlet."

Ryman League chairman Nick Robinson hailed Hill's pioneering work and in particular the key role he played in introducing three points for a win and ensuring the Ryman League led the world in football sponsorship.

He said: "We were very sorry to hear of Jimmy's passing after his long illness. He had a great influence on the game at all levels and will be missed by all who knew him. His influence was especially true in Non-League where he was one of the instigators of three points for a win and was one of the key figures behind the Rothmans sponsorship deal, a first in football that we are very proud of."

After hanging up his playing boots, the former Brentford and Fulham forward was appointed Coventry manager in November 1961, leading the Sky Blues to the Division Three and Division Two titles. There is a statue of Hill at Coventry's Ricoh Arena where he was also chairman - a role he also had at Fulham and Charlton.

He became a broadcaster and head of sport for ITV in 1967, before moving to the BBC six years later where he became presenter of Match of the Day until he handed over the reins to Des Lynam in 1989 after making more than 600 appearances.

Image courtesy of www.corinthian-casuals.com

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