Jimmy Gabriel has died at the age of 80

Red Echo reporting that Jimmy Gabriel has died.

Rob,

Mike Lyons told me that, growing up, Jimmy was his favourite Everton player.

He’d left the club long before I started going to games.

Sad, sad news indeed. If some of our current "stars" had an ounce of his ability and courage, the club would be in a far healthier position. RIP.

Yes Rob

The club have released a statement.

Not a great day

RIP Jimmy

Only ever seen snippets of Jimmy Gabriel on TV during his time at Everton, but according to most who met him, he was a great character and played a very important part in Everton's history.

Condolences to his friends and family. RIP Jimmy.

Jimmy was a real star of the team when I started supporting the Blues. Whenever he got the finger-wagging from a ref, we sang “Jimmy Gabriel is an angel”. RIP, Jimmy.

When we beat Southampton at The Dell 5-2 in '68, us away fans got on the pitch and draped him in Everton scarfs... I never knew such a hard buggar could cry... A proper legend in a great era.

Alan,

I second that. Jimmy was a player who gave his all for the Blues, after coming down from Dundee as a 19-year-old for a record fee for a Scottish player at that time. He played many great games for Everton as a very combative wing-half and played a few games as a centre-forward, scoring a few goals in that position.

I think he left Everton not long after Howard Kendall joined the club.

RIP, Jimmy – always a pleasure watching you play for The Blues.

Gabby was a great, barnstorming midfield player. He played in the first match I attended in 1962. I loved the way he charged into a tackle, stayed on his feet before bringing the ball away from opponents and setting up an attack. He was one of the players who lived in Aintree near the racecourse along with Young, Vernon, Morrissey and probably a few others in the early sixties.

Last time I saw him was in The Crosby pub in the mid to late nineties. He was with his wife and another couple. He always spoke highly of Everton even when he was employed by other clubs. On his first return to Goodison as a player with Southampton in 1967 he received the loudest applause of the afternoon from our supporters.

Dave,

Didn't he step up as caretaker manager... or did I dream that?

RIP Jimmy Gabriel

One of the ‘unsung’ heroes of that long run in after the Big Freeze in 1963. A real slog for weeks, catching up on a backlog, when they really had to dig in.

Gabriel Kay And Stevens dragged us over the line a few times, on mudheap pitches.

A real soldier, hard as nails, and plenty of skill too.

Spent some time with him, early 90s, in the company of Tommy E Jones. Both real gents!

Darren,

He did so twice. The first time was between Colin and HK2 when we beat QPR 3-0. The second time was in 93-94 before Mike Walker arrived.

Not Jimmy Gabriel as well, just dreadful, what a stalwart of this club he's been.

The Angel Gabriel at the pearly gates saying "Welcome, Brother"

Sad day for Blues of a certain vintage.

Darren, he most certainly did take charge of Everton after Colin Harvey left and directly before Kendall arrived for his second stint. Jimmy also had a run later in the 90s but only gained one point from seven matches.

Gabriel in charge

Thanks, John.

And you, Barry.

In my mind's eye, I still see him legging it to the corner flag at Wembley then playing keep ball

Try and catch any video of it... Magic memory 👌

Oh, Jimmy. Remember the refs giving him a talking to after a hard (but fair?) tackle and the crowd chanting "Jimmy Gabriel's an angel!" Well, he is now. Great moments.

RIP Jimmy Gabriel. Another true blue gone.

Jimmy was a true warrior for us from the time of his arrival (I got his autograph outside GP that day). The sight of him in the early 1960s running with the ball through the centre of the field like a galleon with his blond hair blowing was a beautiful sight. He was a hard player and always gave his all whether as a tough midfielder or as an emergency centre forward.

Jimmy was also on the bench with the other staff during the 1995 FA Cup Final.

Barry,

Can you imagine putting some of today's divers and screamers in a game against the real men? They wouldn't last 2 minutes, ha-ha.

I remember hearing that Jimmy Gabriel was a hard player but, when I met him, he was the total opposite really. He was always calm and relaxed, and you got the feeling that he really loved Everton, so this is another very sad day for our football club.

Geoff,

They wouldn't even get out of the dressing room if they had have behaved like that in those days, in fact, they probably wouldn't have lasted 5 minutes in a trial match and would have been sent packing and advised to join the theatre or seek employment with a traveling circus.

Probably still as many hard men playing football today, as there has ever been imo, but the sport has changed, cheats prosper, and so those that don’t cheat are generally left behind, in a sport that probably reflects life, throughout the ages.

With so much talk around a famous Wembley Cup Final in 1966, it is very sad to read this evening of the passing of an Everton Great, Jimmy Gabriel. He played a key role in the truly important final of that season.

What a footballer. As a boy I was always drawn to his blond hair out on the Goodison pitch. He was very skilful, a grafter, a passer, and a goal scorer. And his act of taking the ball to the corner flag towards the end of the match on 14 May 1966 put him into Everton folklore.

Rest in peace, the Archangel Gabriel.

Jimmy Gabriel RIP.

I remember him signing, really makes me feel old… he was born 4 days after me. Feel old… I am old.

Seen most of his games at Goodison and in them times went to a number of away games including that FA Cup Final in 1966.

Can't imagine then, remember my sister got me a ticket for the final, I think it was less than a pound. When I went to the next one against West Brom, I paid £8 for a ticket off a West Brom supporter who didn't want it as his mate never had one and it was raining.

Jimmy Gabriel RIP — an absolute legend of our club.

My dad's generation. He will be toasting tonight as he always had a fond spot for this player and gentleman. "The Angel Gabriel" is with the angels.

Never witnessed him, so I can't comment, but it says a lot about the standard of the time. League title & FA Cup winner but replaced as we apparently saw better in Howard Kendall.

Like I say, before my time, but I knew the name so respect to a person and footballer who's name and exploits I grew up on and gave me the hope that we would succeed again. And we did. We will again.

RIP, Jimmy, taken too early and you achieved immortality, at Everton FC..

Thank you, and enjoy looking on from the Top Balcony in Heaven.

All prayers and deepest thoughts and sympathies to the Gabriel Family.

If the current squad had 25% of the Jimmy Gabriel, Alex Young, Brian Labone, Rats, Reid, Bracewell, Mountfield, Rats,, Power, Clarke, Wags, Sheedy, PVDH, Shaggie, Heath, Sharp, Steven... And

Backbone, guts, and balls.

The minimum...

RIP Jimmy.
What a player hard as nails but a gentleman off the park….
Will be sadly missed by blues fans who were old enough to have watched him grace Goodison park a true champion in a blue shirt.

Hi all, I've just logged on and was shocked to learn that Jimmy Gabriel has passed away, I know that we all look back through rose tinted glasses to ''The good old days,'' but that's what they were in the era that Jimmy played for us, he always gave 100% for the team, how we could do with someone with his work effort right now. R.I.P. Jimmy.

I see sadly another Legend has passed.

R.I.P Jimmy.

Paul29, agreed, we have James Rodriguez! . No backbone, no guts and no balls ( allegedly).

He was the player all these hard but skillful modern day wannabes think they actually are.
He was also Conan the Barbarian-esque Centre Forward when called upon.
I remember him putting the Leeds of Charlton and Bite her legs Hunter to the sword on a cold and frosty night in 1964.
They did not, as the say 'like it up em!' - He was unplayable that night.
Another one who spoke his mind to Harry and paid the price.

If somebody more techno than me could put up the clip of his Wembley last minute run up the line to the corner flag, it would show those who only know of the name what a player he was.

I've got an actual tear in my eye. A great servant of the Club and he'll be sadly missed.

RIP Jimmy Gabriel. Jimmy and Roy Vernon were my favorites when I first went to Goodison. The blonde haired maestro at right half. Happy memories.

Ah Jimmy Gabriel, one of my all time Everton heroes. I just about remember him signing. Tough as old boots wing half, but could fill in up front as a rambunctious Striker. I was at Wembley in 1966 and “Gabby” keeping the ball down by the corner flag near the end is etched in my memory. Never gave up, could take any of the hard men on, but no little skill either. Would have had nothing but contempt for today’s rollers and divers. Him and Tony Kay could have been the absolute dream combination with longer together, but that’s another story. RIP Jimmy Gabriel.

Jeff, zackly, and if only.

One day but better times are due and will happen.

Met Jimmy at the Adelphi at a charity do organized by Bob Latchford.
A gentleman and a great Evertonian.
One of my favorite players in the 60’s teams.
RIP Gabby

How very sad, another painful reminder that we are all mortals and on a limited tenure, which is why we should rejoice and appreciate what we have, and each other. RIP Jimmy.

Jimmy Gabriel was 19 when he signed and I'm fairly sure he went straight into the 1st team. A great team man and would play any position and I remember him playing centre forward with a bandaged head to contain the bleeding.

When he first returned to Goodison with Southampton the crowd for at least 20 minutes just chanted his name. As the chanting broke the ball went out for a throw in and Jimmy came over to take it and as the ball was thrown to him from out of the crowd a voice boomed out, "Alright, Jimmy, still working the clubs,mate?". Gabby just nodded and flashed a knowing smile.

A great character and Evertonian, and one of my heroes, RIP.

Hard as nails and never came off the pitch after giving less than 100%
An intregal part of a fantastic team and era.
Hard, yes, but a bloody good footballer too!

RIP Jimmy. You were one of my first and favourite Everton players that I am still able to remember. Thanks for everything and can you have a word while you are up there with the rest of our greats and get this club of ours back on track.

My favourite player from that great era. Was fortunate enough to also watch him at Southampton for 2 seasons, after moving south.

Goodbye Jimmy, a great player and a fine man.

How lucky we were to see him in a team of other great players and a great team. He was a real heroic figure of a man and has so may have said, to see him win a tackle in our half then set off up the field like a galleon in full sail. He set the ould pulses racing as you just knew we were going to give some defence a very hard time.

He gave every match that I ever saw him in, his all. How lucky we were to have him so long; and how lucky to see him among so many great players.

The Angel Gabriel, still true now.

Worked for Ordnance Survey, Southampton, 1968-71 and lived in Silverdale Road, next to the Dell...the Gateway pub was in the next street - my local pub...Jimmy's Dad was in there on the Monday night when I walked in with my Everton scarf on after the 8-0 thrashing we gave them on the Saturday previous...a match I had written a TW article on...

https://www.google.ToffeeWeb.com/season/13-14/comment/fan/27198.html

We had a great night remembering oor Jimmy and his Dad stated that he was still a blue - so was Jimmy... RIP Angel - remembered with fondness

Sad news but, as others have already posted, many wonderful memories. RIP Jimmy.

Only met him once sometime in the 90s. He was jogging in west derby area. I shouted wats are name. Big bellowing jock voice EVERTON. I’m sure there’s better memories but I just missed out seeing him the flesh. Can anyone confirm he played in Kendall’s first goodison derby ? ( my bro says we won one nil. Kendall scored) 1967 I think.

Derek @34
Just for you mate.

Gabby Corner Flag

Jimmy was one of the most wholehearted players ever to wear an Everton shirt and I can only echo the memories of previous posters.

A most astute signing by Catterick, only 23 when he was an integral part of the ‘62-63 Championship team and fondly remembered for his time saving antics in the last minute of the ‘66 Cup Final.

He would be only 27 when Howard Kendall
arrived and looking back it seems incredible that Catterick quickly sold him to Southampton were he had another outstanding career.

A truly great Evertonian.

An Everton stalwart and legend, Johnny Carey bought him from Dundee, a couple of months after signing Tommy Ring, they played together at Everton, RIP Jimmy Gabriel.

Barry #48, that’s just made me cry. What a day that was.

Jimmy was an important player who very often didnt get the credit he deserved. For the younger T/Ws who weren't lucky enough to see Jimmy play then he was exactly like Peter Reid, very combative in midfield and never shirked a tackle. He always put in a shift in every game, but he could carry the ball and had a great range of passing, he was probably one of the best headers of the ball and played a couple of games up front. Jimmy also did a short stint as the manager for 6/7 games but I don't think management was Jimmy's strength but like many of his generation he would do anything for the club. Also a really likeable man away from the game. RIP Jimmy Gabriel.

Great player and just the type of forward moving tough midfielder player that we need today. He provided me with one of the highlights of my life in minor football. We won the CYMS league in 1962. Alex Young and Jimmy Gabriel presented the medals and joined us in our celebrations. That really made the day for a team of ordinary footballers.They were both great Everton players. All those years ago but still strong memories as we were able to meet our football heroes of that time.

Great clip Barry (48), brought it all back, what a magical day that was.

What can you say about this guy. A tremendous player and could play anywhere. A battling Blue especially in Derby matches. R.I.P. Jimmy.

Brian (47), Howard scored in a 1-0 win for the Blues 1968, Gabby never played, I think he’d gone to Southampton by then.

Thanks Dave. Did he play in the 8 nil mauling v saints. I was at that game early 70 s !

Brian (58), I was at that game myself but couldn’t remember if Gabby played, so I looked it up and yes he did play, but I still can’t recollect Jimmy’s part in the game.

Sad loss. I remember him well. A tough tackling guy but not over dirty. Always fully committed, hard working and with a great knack of scoring. A fantastic signing who became a true Blue. One of my favourite players ever. R.I.P. Jimmy Gabriel.

His first game back as a Saint. Think we won 4-2...he received the most tremendous ovation.
Again unless my dementia is playing up, I think Ernie Hunt scored his first goal for us. A neat back header in the Park End.
Think I had egg and chips for my tea. Could be wrong

Sad news, what a brilliant player he was, if only we had him in our current team, R.I.P. Jimmy, you will never be forgotten.

I loved Royston, Alex but Gabby was my hero.

He made his debut in 1960 at West Ham 2-2.
Jimmy gave a strong tackle, the Referee called
him over, "what"s your name number 4 " James
Gabriel sir. "Well don"t do that again James Gabriel."

He gave his all on the pitch, remembering winning
the league 1963 and the FA Cup.One stand out a
header in the Gladwys St. against Leeds in the FA
Cup,a night game, we won 2-0, think he played at
Centre Forward.

In a game at Fulham 1962/3 me and my mate went
to Craven Cottage (Tony Kelly a tribute for him on
ToffeeWeb 3 years ago) a great Evertonian.

After the game, we tried to get on the bus, the
conducter said bus full, we have to get to Euston
to get for 6-15 pm train. Just then 2 policemen
come on get the next bus.

Just then we heard a shout and Jimmy Gabriel, was
on the steps of the Everton coach,we got on.
They were going to Euston as well.

Roy Vernon and Alex Young were sitting together,
we were on paradise. Gabby shouted hey, wait until
I get that bastard Maurice Cook when he comes to
Goodison.

He got is revenge on the Fulham"s forward into the
month may.
What an atmosphere. Champions1963.

RIP Gabby

Spoke to my bro John ( mascot in title year and beyond. His first words where he’ was a Peter Reid type player and underrated passer of the ball. Also says he got us through games before and after the big freeze of that year with his sheer will to win. Never seen him myself but that sounds like reidy.

Ray (63), great story Ray, bet you had a great day with Tony (Kelly), did anyone get a word in edgeways with Tony on the Everton coach, what a character!!

Hope you are doing okay Ray, nice memories you’ve got going to watch The Blues all those years ago and making friends that stayed friends forever.

As for Jimmy Gabriel, from Dundee, but definitely one of us after he came to Everton and still one of us no matter where he went for the rest of his life, down to Earth and sound as a pound, and you can’t get any better tribute than that.

It is a sad day for all Evertonian's who where lucky enough to see the great Jimmy Gabriel. A hard man with great skills on the field and a gentleman off it.
One of the best wing halves in the league who also filled in as a centre forward when needed. He put so much energy into his play and was loved by the fans.

RIP GABBY

Great man and great family.

I was only young when he played but those memories will stay with me forever.

I knew his sister Sheila quite well and she told me about how he hated Catterick and his sergeant major attitude but he always gave 100%..

Condolences to all the family.

RIP Jimmy.

I started going to Goodison Park in 1960-61. There used to be a guy selling these plastic star-shaped badges outside with pictures of the players on. I would get one every game and pin them on to my scarf. The first one I bought was Jimmy Gabriel.

He always gave 100% and would go through a brick wall to win the ball. I recall him having a stint at centre-forward and there was a game against Man City during the Summerbee - Bell era. I was at the front of the Paddock and the ball was played up the line on the left to where Gabby was being closely marked by Tony Book who came straight through the back of Jimmy to knock the ball forward. No foul given (well, not in those days!). Jimmy though glanced over to see if the ref was looking then turned to Book and planted a cracking "header" right onto Books generous nose. The crowd roared with laughter.

What a character, RIP Gabby.

RIP Jimmy Gabriel - one of us forever. Condolences to his family.

A nice tribute from Southampton and two of their stalwarts - Terry Paine and Mick Channon.

A versatile player, Jimmy was used in defence, midfield and attack by former manager Ted Bates, who valued his adaptability and ability to read the game.

He was similarly rated by his teammates. Terry Paine MBE described him as “an absolute class act – an outstanding footballer… a very intelligent player [who] loved to play… but, more, he wanted to win.”

Southampton’s record goalscorer, Mick Channon, was similarly enthusiastic, declaring Jimmy “everything I love about a footballer – a stubborn devil [who] wanted to be the best.”

In total, he racked up 224 appearances in five years as a Saint, scoring 27 goals.

The thoughts of everybody at Southampton FC are with Jimmy's family and loved ones.

One of the players I supported as a boy, still got his autograph..rip gabs

Tony Heron #68
Talking of Man City, I'll never forget a game at Maine Rd when Gabby and Summerbee had been at it from the kick off.
Late on in the game Everton got a corner and a number of players challenged for the ball in the 6 yard box. The next thing was, Gabby and Dowd the City keeper were going at it like 2 alley cats.
Other players joined the melee but to Summeree's credit he pulled the blood stained Gabriel away from the action and defused any farther agro.

All great and fitting tributes to Jimmy. There just couldn't be anything less for a player who epitomised the spirit of the Sixties Everton. When he played, you always thought you could win.

I remember when he was replaced by Howard, it took quite a while for the crowd to accept the new No 4 instead of Gabby.

A Goodison great. I recall Joe Royle saying how Gabby was the one who looked after the young players on the field. He said after he went to Southampton that he felt like he might have burned himself out at Everton because of the energy he put into every game. I think he moved to right back at Southampton and served them well.
RIP Jimmy- very sad news!

Just for information, the original book of Footballers Wives is still available on Amazon in paperback and on kindle.

Not sure about stock situation

One of the heroes of the Everton team I grew up with as a supporter in the 60s and a truly great player and later ambassador for the club.

For many years, I had a photo of the Everton team of the early 60s (free from Ty-Phoo Tea) on my bedroom wall, and Jimmy was one of the best of the bunch. That picture was still on my wall when I left home to join the RAF in 1970, but mysteriously disappeared when my dad redecorated the room soon afterwards.

I came home on leave to find a lot of my youthful memorabilia lost forever. I did of course have serious words with my dad, who as an ex-army RSM had a habit of winning most arguments.

RIP, Jimmy, a real hero of mine. Condolences to his friends and family.

Nicely written piece on Jimmy Gabriel in the Obituary section of today's (22nd July) "Times."