Get Well Soon Little Big Man
Aug 21st, 2008 by 'holic
Arsenal supporters everywhere are united in their desire to wish Liam Brady a speedy recovery from the illness that has caused him to be spending the night in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.
It certainly doesn’t seem like twenty-eight years since Liam left Arsenal to ply his trade in what was, at the time, the strongest league in the world, in Italy. Memories of the magic wand that was his left foot abound, but for this writer, and I suspect most of his contemporaries, mention of Liam reminds us all of ‘that’ goal in a five-nil drubbing of Tottenham at White Hart Lane in 1978.
In recent years the little genius has turned his attention to making the Arsenal Academy a vital and integral part of the club. The rich supply of young talent is testament to his ability and determination.
Get well soon fella. We need you back.
Jon Sammels
I cannot let this piece go without mention of another ex-Gunner. I was told at the weekend that Jon Sammels, who left the club just after the first double was completed in 1971, is also not in the best of health.
Jon was a massive favourite of the young ‘holic, mainly because he took the time to write a four page letter to me once after I wrote requesting an autograph.
His golden season was 1969/70. In September of that year a thumping thirty-five yarder against Manchester United will never be forgotten by those of us lucky enough to witness it. He also scored the decisive goal in the European Fairs Cup triumph over Anderlecht, but an ankle injury at the start of the following season cost him a regular place in the side.
Before retiring I understand Jon was a driving instructor in Leicester. I would imagine his temperament made him ideally suited to the task. It was a delight to see him at the Highbury farewell celebrations.
If anybody does know of his exact whereabouts in Leicester please pass on the best wishes of Arsenal supporters. He may have attracted criticism from some (times don’t change!), but the vast majority will remember him fondly. Good luck to you Jon.
Getting older isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
18 Responses to “Get Well Soon Little Big Man”
Oh, it’s fine. Single malt for me please.
drink
Getting first drink is so last week
Great post. However that last mine had me concerned: so here’s a big smile for you đ
Have we signed anyone yet/
-m
+l
Bah!
Heh I just got a ‘you are posting comments too quickly. Slow down’ message.
Haha
Memories of these truly great players who didn’t earn a fortune but wore the shirt with pride are very humbling and make all this b*******s about new signings look pretty pathetic.
Best wishes to Liam and family – the sweetest left foot ever to grace the hallowed turf.
He will surely get well in no time. My heart goes to this legend.
http://www.arsenalspot.webs.com
Best wishes to both.
Come on Chippy get well soon your Club and Country needs you.
Nice post ‘holic.
Absinthe’s all round please.
You’re not going to do the old ‘absinthe makes the heart grow fonder’ nonsense now, are you Mark?
And Father Jack was in at number two I see.
Thanks Rasputin. Puts things into perspective I think.
Lovely piece âholic. I remember Chippyâs debut (a sub appearance against Birmingham in â73 I think) when the âkidâ just blew everyone away and, as you say that day at the Lane is legend.
Jon Sammels always seemed a really nice guy and now youâve confirmed it. The Fairs Cup Final has to be my favourite Highbury memory and I can still see Jon scoring the final goal. Shit, we are getting old.
If only we could go back to those halcyon days . . . . but then we wouldnât have the glories of the early Graham years and, of course, those of our current incumbent. Not feeling too enamoured with the latter at the moment but that will keep for another time.
All the best to LB and JS and thanks for all the memories. Get well soon.
going 2 the bolton Vs Arsenal match,can anyone tell me what pub the gooners meet up in?
Best thoughts and get well soon to both Chippy and Jon
Legend.
He’ll be ok
Please remember it was not ‘that’ goal it was ‘the’ goal for many years. for some of us that rememebr saturday night meant modt and that was the only football until the following week.
It brought a smile to the face for many years. my first game at highbury was the 2 – 2 draw against leeds.
I’m glad to pass on to my children that i saw the ‘king of highbury’ and still smile and still sing ‘brady brady born is the king of highbury’ when i see it again.
I live for the day when we can sing for someone that is born the king of ashburton grove like we sung for chippy.
Get well soon to both of our legends!