Council leaders today expressed their sadness at the death of Jimmy Sirrel, the legendary manager of Notts County, who made a phenomenal contribution to football and the city.

Council Leader Jon Collins said: “Jimmy was a real gentleman, a real football man, a really nice bloke. I personally have two particularly fond memories of Jimmy. One is the first match I ever saw when I came to Nottingham in 1984 – Notts County against Watford. The second is the privilege of sitting next to him at that roller-coaster end of season game against Bury a couple of seasons ago after he had made that amazingly emotional appearance on the pitch before the start of the game. It was very entertaining to hear his views on the modern game. I know many Nottingham people will be upset at the news of his death”

Jimmy Sirrel enjoyed a long and successful career, displaying real talent in football management and great loyalty to Nottingham. His successes included bringing the Magpies to the Division Four title in his first full season in charge in 1970/71 and then into Division Two shortly after. One of his most famous achievements included bringing the Magpies into Division One football - for the first time since 1926.

Following retirement at the end of the 1986/87 season, Jimmy was given the honour of having the County Road Stand named after him. His support for the club continued until ill health forced him to stay away. He died after a long illness in the early hours of this morning at Queens Medical Centre.