Some wonderful tributes on here, as is Chris Williams's brilliant piece on the OUFC website.
Jim is the reason I love football so much and why I will be an Oxford supporter for the rest of my life. The team Jim moulded in the mid-80's was the inpsiration for a generation, none more so than me. As a teenager I was lucky enough through my dad to travel on the team coach a few times to away matches and I got to know his warmth, humour and above all passion for the game. I remember after we had been beaten 6-0 at Liverpool he came back on the bus and said "Lads, a mate of mine runs a pub not far away, shall we call in for a drink on the way back". Greeted with a load of negative responses from an understandbly despondent bunch of players, he retorted "Right f**k it we'll go home but you miserable sods had better f***ing cheer up, we only lost 6-0, it could have been a lot worse!!'
Jim was generous with his time and loved to laugh. Even though I hadn't seen him for quite a few years, back in the late 90's Jim and his lovely wife Yvonne accepted an invitation to my wedding with his great friend Paul Reeves. I'm sure Jim never realised just how much that meant to me. Think I was more excited to see him on the day than my wife to be!! (Still happily married I hasten to add!). Jim was the life and soul of the party - he loved life, loved a drink, loved a cigar, loved a punt. A proper old school manager but a brilliant judge, a fine footballing tactician and a great man manager. He produced a brand of football during out two promotion years which made us all (players and fans) feel invincible. The Manor was our fortress and Jim our King. There will never be one better, to my eyes anyway.
My condolences to Yvonne and all the family. Rest assured that Jim's memory will for ever live on in the hearts of the thousands of Oxford fans who witnessed his greatness as a manager. A gentleman and a legend indeed. 'In the town.....'
May he rest in peace.