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Sport

19th Dec 2015

Tributes paid to father of modern day football Jimmy Hill

Kevin McGillicuddy

Modern footballers, and fans, have an awful lot to thank Jimmy Hill for.

The former BBC broadcaster and presenter of ‘Match of the Day’ passed away today at the age of 87, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

Hill was a rare man who’s influence was not only felt while he was playing, but also in the months and years after he stepped off the pitch.

In his playing career at Fulham  he led a crusade against the maximum wage which paved the way for modern transfers as we know it, while if it wasn’t for Jimmy Hill we may never had the three points for a win.

hill

His TV analysis was always engaging and different, and when he took over MOTD in the 1970’s it soon became one of the most watched TV shows in the UK.

His book ‘Striking for Soccer’ was revolutionary in its ideas as he proposed a winter break as well as midweek games to be played under lights.

Sky Sports would also probably not be around today if it wasn’t for Hill proposing that live games be televised at weekends, while one of his most famous developments was of all-seater stadiums which was made famous by his slogan’ you can’t be a hooligan sitting down‘.

His death is a sad day for football: