It was 50 years ago today that football great Jimmy Greaves scored a double on his debut for West Ham United.
Greaves was best known for his glorious career with West Ham’s fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
The world class striker scored 266 goals in 381 games for Spurs, the club’s record.
But after leaving Tottenham, Greaves has a tumultuous two-year spell with West Ham.
When world class Greaves came to West Ham
He kept up his fine scoring record with 13 goals for the Hammers despite some off the field issues.
Greaves’ final season with West Ham was his last in top flight football. He took his tally to a record 357 goals in the First Division.
He also scored nine goals at AC Milan. That gave Greaves the record for the most goals in the top five European leagues (366). And that lasted until 2017 when it was finally surpassed by Cristiano Ronaldo.
But while there were some forgettable and regrettable moments during Greaves’s time at West Ham, it is perhaps best remembered for his debut double in a 5-1 victory over Manchester City 50 years ago today.
50 years ago today Greaves notched debut double
Greaves had joined West Ham in a deal which sent his fellow 1966 World Cup winning teammate Martin Peters to White Hart Lane in part-exchange.
The prolific striker’s debut came on a muddy pitch at Manchester City on 21 March 1970.
And it was there he maintained his record of scoring on his first appearance for every club he represented by netting two typically predatory strikes in a shock First Division victory.
Relive Greaves goals and Boyce stunner half a century on
The West Ham win was also marked by a sensational goal from midfielder Ronnie Boyce.
The star smashed City goalkeeper Joe Corrigan’s clearance back past him and into the net from all of 45 yards.
How West Ham could have done with a player like Greaves this season alongside Sebastien Haller.
With a lack of football to enjoy at the moment, why not take a trip down memory lane and check out the goals on YouTube here.
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