Armfield signed amateur forms for Blackpool FC in 1951 and turned professional three years later.
The 5’10” defender was one of the first full-backs of the modern era to adopt an attacking style and it was an approach that was also utilised within the England set-up.
He made his debut for the Three Lions in arguably the toughest arena possible, facing world champions Brazil at the Maracana, in front of approximately 160,000 fans.
That baptism of fire in 1959 would stand Armfield in good stead as he went on to become England’s first choice right-back for the subsequent seven years.
He played at the ’62 World Cup, where it was Brazil, once again, who knocked England out at the quarter-final stage.
Walter Winterbottom made him his captain after the Finals in Chile and Alf Ramsey retained him in that capacity when he took over the reins in February ’63.
Unfortunately for Armfield an injury just months before the ’66 World Cup saw him lose his place to George Cohen and, although he was in Ramsey’s squad, it was Cohen who wore the number two jersey throughout the tournament. Armfield would not pull on the Three Lions again.
He did, however, receive a World Cup winners’ medal in 2009 after FIFA changed their rules to allow all winning squad members to receive the accolade.
After calling time on his playing career he had spells managing at Bolton Wanderers and Leeds United, who he took to the European Cup Final in 1975.