Jimmy Armfield was one of the great figures of English football - captain of the national team before Bobby Moore, member of the 1966 World Cup-winning squad, one-club man with Blackpool. Gentleman Jim went on to enjoy a wonderfully rich life and career as a manager with Leeds United, before becoming a broadcaster of warmth and insight, then consultant with the Football Association and the Professional Footballers' Association. In Pantomime Hero, award-winning football writer and author Ian Ridley tells the remarkable tale of when Armfield took over at Leeds after Brian Clough's ill-fated 44 days and came up with a novel and unique idea to restore the morale of a club in turmoil. Around that amazing tale, Ridley also describes a friendship forged through the bonds of cancer with a giant of a man who was already long established as a national footballing treasure at the time of his death in January 2018. This is the first book in the innovative Football Shorts series.

"These wonderful 160 pages are a real tribute to Armfield and Ridley has produced a book that has genuine warm borne out of their friendship and Ridley's admiration for Armfield's talent as player, manager and broadcaster." - Football Book Reviews

"A wonderful book. Reading it, I could see Jimmy's smile and hear his voice. The final chapter made me cry." - Former BBC Radio 5live Chief Football Correspondent and colleague of Jimmy Armfield's

"Journalist and author Ridley provides us with some charming, nostalgic and heart-warming stories about Jimmy Armfield, the former Blackpool and England full-back who became an acclaimed broadcaster... Armfield's beacon values of respect and decency will ever endure. This book is a fitting tribute to a wonderful man." - Late Tackle