Jimmy Greaves: why the football legend has been awarded an MBE, where is he now - and what is his net worth?

Ron Flowers has also been recognised in the New Year Honours list
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Jimmy Greaves, England’s 1966 World Cup-winner, has been awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours list.

The 80-year-old football legend played for Tottenham and became the club’s all-time record scorer.

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Ron Flowers, the other last-surviving member of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning squad, has also been awarded an MBE.

Greaves played for Tottenham and became the club’s all-time record scorer (Getty Images)Greaves played for Tottenham and became the club’s all-time record scorer (Getty Images)
Greaves played for Tottenham and became the club’s all-time record scorer (Getty Images)

The two football greats are part of a star-studded New Years Honours list, which recognises more than 1,200 people.

Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has been knighted in the Queen’s list, while actress Sheila Hancock has been made a Dame for her services to drama.

Here’s everything you need to know about Jimmy Greaves’ award - and where he is now.

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Harry Kane of Tottenham met Jimmy Greaves (Getty Images)Harry Kane of Tottenham met Jimmy Greaves (Getty Images)
Harry Kane of Tottenham met Jimmy Greaves (Getty Images)

Why has Jimmy Greaves been awarded an MBE?

Greaves has been awarded an MBE for services to football.

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The sporting icon scored 357 goals for Chelsea, Tottenham, and West Ham.

For Tottenham, he scored 266 goals in 379 appearances, including a club-record 220 league goals.

He won the FA Cup with the club in 1962 and 1967, and the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1963.

He also scored 44 goals in 57 games for England and was part of the World Cup-winning side in 1966 - although he did not play in the final due to injury.

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Instead, he lost his place to Sir Geoff Hurst, who scored a hat-trick in the final against West Germany.

Greaves held the record for the most career goals scored in Europe's top five leagues with 366, until Cristiano Ronaldo beat his number in 2017.

“I'm deeply honoured to receive this recognition for services to football from Her Majesty The Queen," Greaves said.

"Football has been my life, from the day I started kicking a ball around as a kid at home in Essex, to signing for Chelsea at 15, then to Milan, those wonderful nine years at Spurs, then West Ham and, later, my work in television and the media.

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"There have been highs and lows, but it's a game I will always love and will always be part of me. I'd like to dedicate this award to Irene, my family and friends. Thanks for all your love and support."

When did he retire?

Greaves moved to West Ham after Tottenham as part of an exchange deal with the late Martin Peters in 1970.

His glistening career in football lasted from 1957 to 1972, before he began to struggle with alcoholism.

However, he beat his addiction and began a career as a pundit, initially for ITV during the 1982 World Cup.

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Greaves then co-presented the popular Saint & Greavsie show alongside fellow former professional footballer Ian St John between 1985 and 1992.

Where is Greaves now?

The sporting star sadly suffered a stroke in May 2015, which left him in poor health.

He has been wheelchair-bound since, with severely impaired speech, and he is thought to need care four times a day.

Greaves was hospitalised in April this year with an illness, with Tottenham announcing that he was receiving treatment and awaiting test results.

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He was released from hospital soon after to recover at home with his wife, Irene.

An official statement from the club said the illness was not another stroke, and was not coronavirus-related.

What is his net worth?

Greaves was a top footballer in England, and continued to work in punditry until the late 90s.

He is also thought to have been involved in several businesses throughout his career.

For that reason, his net worth is reported to be around £8.1 million ($11million).