Notts County legend Jimmy Sirrel dies, aged 86
LEGENDARY Notts County manager Jimmy Sirrel died today, aged 86.
He died in the early hours of this morning in the Queen's Medical Centre after a long illness.
Sirrel was born on February 2, 1922, and first took charge of the Magpies on November 19, 1969.
He guided the club to the Division Four title in his first full season in charge in 1970/71 and then into Division Two in 1973.
He left Meadow Lane to take over at Sheffield United in 1975, but that was not the end of his love affair with Notts.
He returned to the club in October 1977 and famously led them into the top-flight of English Football in 1981, with a 2-0 against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge confirming the Magpies would be playing Division One football for the first time since 1926.
Sirrel then steered the club to successive 15th-place finishes in the 1981/82 and 1982/83 campaigns; he was general manager to Howard Wilkinson in the club's second season in the top-flight.
In doing so, the Magpies thoroughly upset universal-expectation that condemned them to a swift fall back down the Football League ladder.
Sirrel continued as general manager of the club in the 1983/84 season, but Notts were relegated from Division One under coach Larry Lloyd.
Lloyd was sacked the following season, with the Magpies staring a second successive relegation in the face.
And Sirrel was back in his track-suit in an unsuccessful attempt to save the club from a dispiriting drop into Division Three.
After a swift free-fall, he managed to instigate a period of stability at Meadow Lane, before announcing his retirement at the end of the 1986/87 campaign.
In 1993, the newly-redeveloped County Road Stand was renamed the Jimmy Sirrel Stand in his honour.
He was still a regular visitor to Meadow Lane until the end of last season, when ill health forced him to stay away.
IN Friday's Evening Post: Eight-page Jimmy Sirrel tribute special.
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by mick wagtaff, Arnold
Saturday, September 27 2008, 6:21AM
“Jim you were the reason I supported Notts. You were an insperation with your words of wisdom and you always had time for us supporters. I still think about great wins at leeds and villa. You and your teams will live forever
I am saddened at your loss you will always be remembered
Charlie do it for the wee man on Saturday
Jim R I P”
by craig humphrey, carlton
Friday, September 26 2008, 5:34AM
“God bless you Jimmy, you are Notts County, legend in every way,thanks for all the wonderful times over the years. rest in peace gaffer. SIMPLY THE BEST!”
by Dan, Notts
Friday, September 26 2008, 12:42AM
“Thank you Forest and Stags fans.. nice to see your tributes to a great man! R.I.P JIMMY!
Instead of naming the A612 after him, why not do that and rename the Ground aswell.. i no we already have the stand named.. but the ultimate tribute would be the whole ground for me.. The Jimmy Sirrel Stadium!”
by Patrick, Toronto
Friday, September 26 2008, 12:22AM
“Sirrel's achievements at County were indeed legendary. Sadly things have deteriorated badly since then. There is a successful manager working out of meadow lane these days... Glenn Delaney, Nottingham Rugby coach.”
by Kalwinder Singh, Littleover, Derby
Thursday, September 25 2008, 10:19PM
“Aldershot was the club where Jimmy Sirrel began his coaching career, so the game on Saturday is an ideal opportunity for every fan at Meadow Lane to pay their respects.
Saturday, 27 September 2008.
Coca-Cola Football League Two
Notts County v Aldershot, 15:00”
by STEPHEN SILVER, NOTTINGHAM
Thursday, September 25 2008, 9:49PM
“I was devastated to hear the sad news,of Sir Jimmy RIP to Jimmys family thankyou for the memorys great achivements you gave us countys fans.i will never forget you god bless Jimmy.”
by wesley, Cropwell Bishop
Thursday, September 25 2008, 9:35PM
“Jimmy
You gave me so many great memories, the term Legend is simply not enough
We will never forget you
Wes Wroughton”
by Les Dennis Forest Fan, Hucknall
Thursday, September 25 2008, 9:12PM
“Football has today lost a real Footballing Legend,his knowledge and humour made him a very special Human Being.Take your seat alongside Cloughie Jimmy....RIP..”
by semak,, clifton
Thursday, September 25 2008, 9:03PM
“Jimmy Sirrel always had time to talk to you as an individual, he was one of the most warm and sincere gentlemen I have ever met, go and set up a great team in the sky Jimmy, Pedro, Arthur Mann, Eric Probert, They will all welcome you.
Thanks to all the Forest fans who have been texting me and joining this evening post tribute...Only In Nottingham !!
Lets turn out in force on Saturday to give Sir Jimmy the send off of all send offs.”
by arnoldred, Arnold
Thursday, September 25 2008, 9:02PM
“Although my allegiances lie across the Trent, occasions such as this unite us all. Jimmy will always remain a footballing legend in Nottingham and beyond. God bless. RIP Jimmy”