Jimmy Hill can lay claim to being one of the most influential personalities in British soccer. During a distinguished playing career, notably at Fulham, he campaigned to have the maximum wage removed, helping to make his teammate Johnny Haynes the first £100 a week player.
Moving into management, he took Coventry City up from the old Third Division to the First, creating a brand identity for the club that proved especially congenial to fans and the media alike. He used several gimmicks - for example, creating a Sky Blue train - and made strenuous efforts to forge links with local businesses so as to create a regional identity.
At the peak of his managerial powers, Hill moved into television where he remained for the rest of his career. Beginning as a co-presenter for London Weekend's THE BIG MATCH with Brian Moore, he moved to the BBC's MATCH OF THE DAY in 1973. As a presenter, and latterly a summarizer, Hill was not backward about coming forward in his opinions; sometimes it seems as if he were deliberately courting controversy. Love him or hate him, you could not ignore him.
Offscreen Hill came across as a thoroughly decent person, ever ready to give of his time to deserving causes. He believed in popularizing the game as much as possible both on television and in other media, and would willingly participate in any scheme. Married three times with five children, he had a colorful private life, but those who remember him had nothing but praise for his achievements.
Moving into management, he took Coventry City up from the old Third Division to the First, creating a brand identity for the club that proved especially congenial to fans and the media alike. He used several gimmicks - for example, creating a Sky Blue train - and made strenuous efforts to forge links with local businesses so as to create a regional identity.
At the peak of his managerial powers, Hill moved into television where he remained for the rest of his career. Beginning as a co-presenter for London Weekend's THE BIG MATCH with Brian Moore, he moved to the BBC's MATCH OF THE DAY in 1973. As a presenter, and latterly a summarizer, Hill was not backward about coming forward in his opinions; sometimes it seems as if he were deliberately courting controversy. Love him or hate him, you could not ignore him.
Offscreen Hill came across as a thoroughly decent person, ever ready to give of his time to deserving causes. He believed in popularizing the game as much as possible both on television and in other media, and would willingly participate in any scheme. Married three times with five children, he had a colorful private life, but those who remember him had nothing but praise for his achievements.
