Everyone at Nottingham Forest is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jeff Whitefoot, aged 90.
Jeff made more than 250 appearances for The Reds between 1958 and 1967 and was the last surviving member of the side which famously lifted the FA Cup in 1959, cementing his place in Forest folklore.
Having grown up in the Cheshire village of Cheadle, Jeff began his football career with Manchester United and became the youngest player to start in a league match for the Red Devils when he made his debut under manager Matt Busby in April 1950, aged just 16 years and 105 days.
During eight seasons at Old Trafford Jeff turned out 95 times with the ‘Busby Babes’ and was part of the title-winning sides of 1952 and 1956, also appearing for England’s Under-23 team in 1954.
Jeff departed for Grimsby Town in 1957, shortly before the Munich Air Disaster which tragically took the lives of 23 people including eight of his former team-mates.
A move to The City Ground followed less than a year later, with Jeff quickly establishing himself at the Club where he would go on to appear 285 times in all competitions under the management of Billy Walker, Andy Beattie and then Johnny Carey.
Jeff’s greatest achievement at Forest came in his debut season as Walker’s team defeated Luton Town at Wembley to win the FA Cup for the second time, with his first of seven goals for the Club coming in the fourth round of the competition against his old side Grimsby Town.
For nearly a decade Jeff was regularly a key part of the side as The Reds competed in the First Division, and during his final full season the team achieved what was their highest league finish at the time, finishing second in the First Division only behind his former club, Manchester United.
Jeff eventually called time on an honourable career in 1967, aged 33, and went on to run pubs in East Leake and Oakham with his wife Nell.
Our thoughts are with Jeff’s family, friends and all who knew him.