Coventry City fans mourn former manager Jimmy Hill

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Tributes are pouring in after former Coventry City manager and club chairman Jimmy Hill died aged 87.



He joined the club as manager in 1961, leaving six years later shortly after they had promoted to the First Division for the first time.

Tributes are being left at the statue of him outside Coventry's home ground, the Ricoh Arena.

Sky Blues manager Tony Mowbray led the plaudits, describing him as "a forward-thinker and a revolutionary".

"Everyone at the club is in a state of shock and deep sadness at hearing the news of Jimmy's death," he said.

"History tells us that without the efforts of Jimmy, both on the pitch and off it, Coventry City's future will have been extremely different from what it is today."

Former Coventry City player Bobby Gould said he owed "everything I have at this time" to his former manager.

"His knowledge of the game was phenomenal, his understanding of individuals was just brilliant," he said.

"He let me have everything."

Sky Blues fans outside the stadium have been speaking about their memories of Hill.

"The father of this football club has died," said Les Manton, who has followed the side for more than 50 years.

Fellow supporter Keith Ruddock said: "Jimmy Hill was Coventry City FC. He brought the club to the city for the fans."

Adam Wilson said: "He had so much influence on the club, that's why I've paid my respects."

Coventry indie band The Enemy were among the many celebrities paying tribute to Hill.

They tweeted: "A Coventry City icon passes. RIP Jimmy Hill X"

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Public memorial service to be held at Coventry Cathedral for Jimmy Hill



A public memorial service will be held for legendary former Coventry City FC manager Jimmy Hill at Coventry Cathedral following his death at the age of 87.

The service will take place on February 12 at 5.30pm to honour the man who led the Sky Blues from the old Third Division to the top flight during the 1960s.

He also had a far-reaching influence on football - often credited with introducing the three points for a win system, all-seater stadiums and scrapping the maximum wage.

Jimmy died on December 19 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. He was buried on New Year’s Eve during a private family funeral, in Sussex.

The public memorial service is designed to let the people of Coventry say goodbye to arguably the most successful manager in the history of CCFC.

A brief statement on Coventry City FC’s website read: “The event will celebrate the life of Jimmy and his contribution across football and broadcasting, as well as including personal memories of 'JH'.

“Full details of the celebration and how to obtain tickets will be confirmed in the coming weeks.”

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Loudspeakers give Coventry City fans chance to join in Jimmy Hill celebration



More people have been given the opportunity to attend a celebration in honour of legendary former Coventry City FC manager Jimmy Hill.

While all 900 tickets for the event in Coventry Cathedral on Friday have been snapped up, organisers have announced the entire event will be broadcast on loudspeakers outside the building in University Square.

The celebration will start at 5.30pm, and all those attending have been encouraged to wear something Sky Blue to commemorate Jimmy Hill who died in December at the age of 87, following a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

People paying tribute at the event will include members of the Hill family, PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor, BBC Football commentator John Motson, plus current and former members of Coventry City FC.

Story Link Jimmy Hill memorial service: Everything you need to know

Sky Blues legend Bobby Gould will also attend alongside the club’s managing director Chris Anderson and former chairman Joe Elliott.

A statement from the organisers said: “Everyone is encouraged to wear something Sky Blue and to be in University Square early, with a high number of Sky Blues fans coming along to share in the event and the chance to see many famous former Coventry City stars and footballing personalities as they arrive.”

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Jimmy Hill celebration at Coventry Cathedral attracts thousands


Son Jamie Hill leads the mourners

Jimmy Hill was given a spectacular send off as thousands turned out to a star-studded celebration held in his honour at Coventry Cathedral.

England manager Roy Hodgson was among the crowd of over 2,000 who had been asked to wear Sky Blue for the occasion. He was joined by famous faces from the world of TV punditry including Gary Lineker, Trevor Brooking and Alan Hanson.

His deep connection with Coventry City FC was also evident with former players, colleagues and chairmen turning out in droves to pay tribute to the man who gave the Sky Blues their nickname and took them from the third division to the top flight during the 1960s.

But his influence on the game reached much further than Coventry, as emphasised by PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor; and BBC commentator and colleague John Motson, who spoke during the event on Friday.

Addressing those inside Coventry Cathedral, and hundreds more who gathered outside to listen on loudspeakers, Mr Taylor spoke about Jimmy Hill’s successful battle to abolish the maximum wage in football.

He said: “They said it would be the end of the game, but a few years later came England’s finest hour - we won the World Cup.

“All footballers are very much in his debt.

“I hope he’s in football heaven, and in the best seat to watch Match of the Day.”

Mr Motson told the crowd Mr Hill should have been knighted for all he achieved - including the introduction of three points for a win, all-seater stadiums and sponsored shirts.

He said: “We may have been talking about Sir Jimmy Hill.”

Earlier, he told the Telegraph: “His influence on football was enormous, everybody knows what he did for Coventry City. It was a terrific achievement to establish them in the first division.

“You look at all his innovations, the train, the song, if you had to sum him up - he was an ideas man and he was capable of putting them into practice.

“I don’t think football would be what it is now without Jimmy. He started a lot of things people wouldn’t have thought of.

“He was a one off. I don’t think we’ll ever see the likes of Jimmy Hill again.”

His son Jamie Hill also paid tribute to his father during the event.

He said: “I heard a radio phone-in on the way over here about who was the most influential person in the history of Coventry, I was surprised to hear he came second to Lady Godiva!

“I can hear him saying ‘She wouldn’t have won if she’d been sent off for excessive celebration by taking her shirt off!’”

The celebration event was concluded with an emotional rendition of The Sky Blues Song, the Coventry City FC anthem penned by Jimmy Hill during the 1960s.