Jimmy Hill, pantomime-style enemy of Scottish football fans, dies at 87

Former football player and Match Of The Day presenter Jimmy Hill has died aged 87.

The Londoner, who made his name playing for Fulham in the 1950s, enjoyed a second career as a distinguished broadcaster.

He died after suffering from Alzheimer’s disease for a number of years.

Hill was the commentator Scottish fans loved to hate, infamously describing as a “toe-poke” Dave Narey’s wonder-strike against Brazil in the 1982 World Cup.

While no Scotland match was complete without a fans’ rendition of “We Hate Jimmy Hill, He’s A P…”, the banter was for the most part good-natured.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=9pal-KiZogo%3Frel%3D0

Jimmy himself spoke of his love for Scotland, pointing out how welcome his brother had felt while stationed here during the Second World War.

In a statement, his agent, Jane Morgan, said: “It is with great sadness that Bryony Hill and the children of Jimmy Hill have announced that Jimmy passed away peacefully today aged 87 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Bryony was beside him.”

Hill will be cremated at a private ceremony.

A service for his friends and colleagues will be held in the new year, his agent said.