Geordie Armstrong – A True Arsenal Legend
Oct 12th, 2013 by 'holic
My earliest memories of watching Arsenal included an all action winger, diminutive in stature, but who could ride the roughest challenges, and who never stopped running. George Armstrong had a work ethic beyond most. Full-backs loved having his constant support, strikers thrived on his accurate delivery into the box.
There were matches when he seemed to be playing on both flanks, and indeed he was. I remember ‘holicdad opining on the Clock End one afternoon that Armstrong was amazing, but wouldn’t last ten years playing like that. When the little man moved to Leicester after sixteen years at Highbury the old man was fulsome in his appreciation. George’s boundless energy perhaps masked his incredible talent. At any other time he would have been a shoe-in for the national side, but Alf Ramsey didn’t play wingers. The best player never to play for England? Very probably.
‘Wee Geordie’, or plain ‘Geordie’, got his nickname having been born on 9th August 1944 in Hebburn, County Durham. His Arsenal career spanned four managers, although it was his contribution to Bertie Mee’s European Fairs Cup and double winning campaigns that stand out. In those seasons his crossing provided the ammunition for Ray Kennedy, John Radford, George Graham, and Charlie George to feast on the opposition. Shy and retiring, he seemed genuinely embarrassed to acknowledge those on the North Bank as they greeted him with “Geordie, Geordie Armstrong, Geordie Armstrong on the wi-ing”.
Tottenham must have been sick of the sight of him as we landed the double in 1970/71. In the home fixture he grabbed a brace in a 2-0 win. Never prolific as a finisher his 500 appearances for the club nonetheless produced a decent return of 68 goals. His value was in his accurate crossing, such as the one that Ray Kennedy converted in the dying minutes of the League season at the Lane as the club’s first championship in eighteen years was secured.
Many considered that side was broken up too early but George, along with his contemporaries Peter Storey and Peter Simpson remained loyal until their best days had passed. The end for George came in 1977, amid rumours of a fall out with manager and former team mate Terry Neill that started when Geordie failed to make a Christmas appearance at White Hart Lane.
In 1990 George returned to the club he had taken to his heart as reserve team coach under George Graham. He would survive in that role until the Arsene Wenger years. In October 2000, not surprisingly on the training ground at London Colney, Geordie collapsed with a brain haemorrhage, and the following morning he passed away, far too early at the age of 56. At the Training Centre today the club recognise his contribution to Arsenal with a pitch named after him and a suitable monument to the fact, one I have had the pleasure of seeing.
The quality of the player was recognised by his peers. Bobby Charlton once said of Geordie, “He has gone from strength to strength, working hard and taking weight off defenders’ shoulders by his willingness to help out.” In his Guardian obituary Brian Glanville quoted; “One who knew him well at Arsenal observed that ‘football flowed out of him’. He was humorous, modest, unfailingly genial.”
Everybody at the club, on the pitch, terraces, and in the stands loved wee Geordie. How he is missed. Truly he was worthy of the tag, legend.
170 Responses to “Geordie Armstrong – A True Arsenal Legend”
I too saw him play, my dad too would always praise him
He must have been nightmare to defend against
2nd
Superb stuff, H.
Thank you ‘Holic. Through those who mean a lot to me, he means a lot. I wish I had been as lucky as you (all) to see him play.
Great stuff, ‘holic.
The word legend seems to be banded about far to often these days. Most of the time it is unwarranted. Geordie was a true legend.
Great piece Holic and a smashing read for a Saturday evening.
Lovely memory ‘holic . I first saw Geordie playing in a five a side competition at Tooting and Mitcham when I was a lad. Arsenal won it and I claimed the signatures of Geordie and Jon Sammels,two favourites of mine.
Your description does him justice. He was two footed hence his ability to play on the left or right, he had a marvellous engine. I know his double teammates were astonished that the fittest man in their ranks was the first to die and on the brief occasions I came across him he was a delightful bloke. Frank Mclintock said he was the most generous man he ever met, first to buy a round and a great clubman. I remember Peter Marinello being signed amid a great fanfare of publicity and finding that he had to shift Geordie from the team. He never had a chance.
I have heard some interesting things about his finances. I think he got into a mess and this was the reason for the rift with Neill but he was deeply loved at the club and will always have a place in the hearts of Gooners of a certain age.
Nowadays he would have had umpteen caps. Amazing to think Raheem Sterling has got caps at his age and Geordie never did. He and Peter Simpson were hugely unlucky. Maybe that’s why the true fan can’t warm to international football nowadays.
I loved watching the little man. his performance on the muddy flooded pitch that won us the fairs cup was nothing short of miraculous. I went on the pitch at match end and the mud spilled over the top and filled my shoes.
I use his image as my avatar and in 60 plus years of watching the Arsenal have never seen a winger to equal him. Thanks for the memory.
Nice one H. To whom in the modern day would you liken him (just so I can get an idea). My Arse days started in 77…
Excellent work H. I never had the privilege t see him play in the flesh but I do remember his rampaging wingplay from TV coverage of the late 60s and early 70s. I also remember the tributes at his passing. Clearly a lovely man loved by many.
Lovely piece ‘holic. I too saw him play a few times and even to my untutored eye he was something special and has always been a favourite.
Nobody like him today Catalan, not that I have seen.
I too watched Geordie during his 70s Highbury years. A true winger is always a great thing to watch. He really was part of the heartbeat of our first double winning side. I’m now the age he was when he passed – far too young and so much more to give. Lovely piece ‘Holic.
We share an age Countryman. Scary writing when I got to that bit.
Holic,
Zico already nicked my comment – Superb.
Catalan,
I did have the privelege of watching that ’71 Double side and did, therefore, see Geordie play quite a bit.
For what it’s worth, I can’t think that we have had another one quite like him since. He was a true old fashioned winger and his work rate set him apart.
The Ox hasn’t played enough games yet to stand comparison, but he does have something of that busy, battling spirit and the determination to keep going and get a good cross in even as he tumbles over the goal line.
If you could imagine The Ox’s very best moments for 90 minutes every game, you might be getting close.
Ah, just seen H’s reply, Dr C. Similar, sort of.
Catalan
Its a very good question but I really don’t think anybody in the modern game was like him. in his two-footedness he was like Cazorla but he was a flank player who did a tremendous amount of pressing and helping out his full back . His work rate was so awesome it sometimes overshadowed his considerable skill and he was a brilliant crosser. As holic wrote ,look at the cross he supplied for Ray Kennedy at WHL in 1971. I really think he was a one-off.
1957 was a vintage year ‘Holic!
It was, my friend 😉
Wonderful reminiscence, ‘Holic. They don’t seem to make those mazy little wingers any more, bandy legs and baggy shorts, or no (not that Geordie had either). He was a perpetual motion machine, and, as you say, peerless in his crossing. And deserved an England cap for those sideburns alone.
For those who were never fortunate (or old) enough to see him on the pitch, here is a video of him playing against Derby Co. in 1970 at Highbury. There is also interview of him by Jimmy Hill at the end with Geordie being typically modest and generous to his team mates.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYCHw3lG86U
Loved him as player but favourite memory was him walking out with the players to warm up before a testimonial (damned if I can remember whose) Anyway one of the players had his shirt outside his shorts and Geordie shouted out “oi you this is Arsenal now tuck your bloody shirt in”. Quick as flash the shirt was tucked in. How times & players have changed
Holic,
Excellent Article !!
I had the pleasure as a young Arsenal fan watching Georgie from the old North Bank. He never once gave up chasing a attacker back or fighting to get a cross in from the bye line.
Do you know amongst North Bank fans he had a nickname ” Meals on Wheels ”
He always delivered !!
Great Memories Thanks
Smashing clip, Ned. Great days.
A most worthy tribute…
Quality piece, Guv.
Great article, Geordie a true Arsenal legend, I also watched from the north bank. Geordie was not only fast, his crossing was very accurate, and his workrate was fantastic.
I and many of our supporters, look back with happy memories of the happy days supporting our great club, Geordie being an example of the players loyalty to the club.
Whilst he left us early, whilst coaching our younger players, he will always be remembered.
A great player, if I remember correctly one of my first games I saw had him on one wing and Mcleod on the other. Later in the 60s he played opposite Jimmy Robertson. Its so rare for a team to have two wingers these days.
Geordie was something special. Saw him many times.Remember his testimonial against Barcelona with Cruyff. Think they beat us 3-1.
Great stuff ‘holic.
Before I knew who he was Geordie put up the fluorescent lights in our kitchen, he was training to be an electrician when he joined AFC.
My earliest memory of Geordie, as a player, was when he first appeared in the reserves, looking like a schoolboy but from the start instantly recognisable as the player he later became full of energy, quality & pace. Two players in one, hugely underrated, just don’t know why he never got near the England team even though there was a lot of competition at the time. It was the same for ‘Super Stan’ Simpson, overall a better player than Bobby Moore in my opinion. Thundertinygooner’s comment 7 is oh so true.
That wasn’t a half bad team against Derby by any means, Trev. Also, in the interview, talk of fighting spirit, best passing team in the land, short of a star player etc. Some things never change.
True about Stan, Flint. Great player with Frank to kick him up the backside.
I go back to the day when the reserves played at 3 o’clock on a Saturday and you went to Highbury and waited for the the first team’s scores to be updated on the scoreboards near the corner flag. It was the first match of the season, which year I can’t remember, but it was very early sixties. Which team were we playing, I can’t remember, but I feel it was a London club, was it Crystal Palace? These were the days when the reserves really were the stiffs – old pros, ageing, with expanding waistlines and their only obvious ability being able to kick the ball and opponent a long distance.
Clearly I can remember very little about this game apart from…. Ah, yes.There was this little lad, surely just a schoolboy or so it seemed who was like a breath of fresh air. He just chased the ball everywhere. An opposition player would have the ball and here was this young fellow hounding him. The crowd woke up and were cheering him on. Eventually he won the ball and the stadium erupted. Yes I know there was only a few thousand people in the ground that day, but the sound we made, well it could have been a full house for the first team.
When we trooped off home that day we had a new hero, we immediately loved the little man, but I don’t think them we realized at that time that he was to become a true Arsenal legend. .
Wonderful tribute and memories holic. He was one of my all time favourites. I was a regular attender in the 60s right from his debut years. He was skilful with a fantastic work ethic..a total team man and loved by the supporters, I can’t remember him ever getting a negative crowd reaction. A sad occasion to lose him at such a relative young age.
Flint mentioned Stan…another truly great arsenal player underrated in the country. He liked a pint and a fag after the game at the White Hart Southgate…players had much more modest / normal lifestyles back yonder.
Mentioning Flint…another Arsenal legend from the past.
My very earliest memories of going regularly to Highbury were when I was about six or seven. Mum liked football (she came about half of the time) but wasn’t mad on it like my Dad & Brother but she really loved Armstrong.
“Watch the speed of his little legs” she would coo and as an adult now I think she was taken with him as much as his ability. It took my brother to explain that he could run all day long and create goals out of nothing for our strikers, a love of wingers began with an appreciate of Geordie and by the time I was really getting to understand the game Armstrong was just about to end his time at Highbury in a team that was in some decline.
Funny…now my Mum is 77 and when I call home we’ll always talk about Arsenal for a bit and she loves to revisit me being a little boy (I just let her of course), she’ll talk about Brady and O’Leary (Mum is from Dublin) and she’ll ask if I remember Storey and Ball but always she’ll end with ‘Remember Geordie Armstrong Tim? Running up and down the wing all days with his little legs going like the clappers”.
Yes Mum….and I remember you in the West Upper singing along and stretching your scarf over your head as you cheered on wee Geordie and I’m six all over again.
I think its marvelous how all you old gits have managed to work out how to use computers and navigate through cyberspace… 🙂
Seriously though, some amazing anecdotes and memories evoked thanks to a great post…
Thanks to all.
This is a wonderful photo of him http://arsenalonetwofive.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/092-1972-03-13-mee_0115.jpg
Rarely comment on here but I`m a big fan of the site. Love reading these pieces about the club legends and Geordie was certainly that. I only missed 2 games in the double season and in my opinion the Captain was the only player who matched Armstrong that year. His consistency was incredible and you always knew what you would get with Geordie, an 8 or 9 out of 10 performance nearly every week. When you look at some of the clowns who have represented England over the years and then you compare them to GA it is actually quite embarrassing. In response to Catalan though, if I had to compare him to a modern day player, I would tell you to go and watch the game when Citeh drubbed manure 6 – 1 and watch Milner that day. That was the level that Geordie played at every fucken week. Class act on and off the field.
Cheers ‘holic and I would have loved to have seen the man in person if I had had the chance.
Not sure this is available internationally but I can recommend it highly.
http://www.indeedbrewing.com/beers/sweet-yamma-jamma/
But I do know this is available internationally so have at it if you are so inclined:
http://www.wwoz.org
Love the history lesson and all the trips down memory lane. Sounds a real player and a beautiful person. Always enjoy these pieces.
great blog I grew up in Belfast as a kid and was always a gooner, Geordie was my idol I just loved him and the way he never gave up. I was at Highbury when we played Spurs in the 70s and he tortured them. I actually got to shake his hand and I will never forget it. Ive met and spoke with Bestie who although a MU player was also an idol of mine as we went to the same school though not at same time. I wouldn’t swop my hand shake with wee Geordie Armstrong for Besties. Sometimes we call ex players legends and I was so sad to hear of his death and am so pleased that Arsenal have paid this tribute to a true Arsenal Legend
RIP Geordie
Morning all,
Thanks for your memories and feedback. Have a lovely Sunday.
Ah, a history post! Been a while
Cheers ‘holic
Nörris@30 – You cheeky young pup.
That was truly beautiful ‘holic, very much appreciated. Cheered me right up, excepting the fact 56 was no age for the great man to go forever, on a day when I is not feeling too clever at all.
Cheers Esso. Means a lot coming from you.
Thank you Ned for the clip. I really really enjoyed it. Ditto Tim for the piccy.
Great piece ‘H, about a great player.
I once went to the Intimate Theatre in Palmers Green to watch a Christmas panto with Geordie and his family, aged 7. He wore a black leather coat and patted me on the top of my head.
Not much of an anecdote I know, but I loved him 🙂
Greatness by association, TaBS. That’ll do for me. If I was drinking I would raise a glass to you. 😉
Haha, and thank you ‘H 🙂
Trust Tabs to go to an intimate theatre. 😉
Heh, I’m sure Wolfie pushed him into it..
Thems were the days Trev 😉
Always a sucker for Black leather Cent. 🙂
I’d be disappointed if you were not.
Top shelf, ‘Holic, and very fitting comments as well.
Only the good die young…(fortunately, I think that means most of us ‘Holics are therefore quite safe)
BMBD
Excellent piece, that has brought a lot of new posters to the bar, thanks for sharing your memories of what was obviously a true crowd favourite.
I personally can’t remember that much about him, my Highbury beginings coinciding with his end (of playing for us), although I did have a few pictures and programs with his John Hancock.
===
From previous;
Nice one, well done Cent.
Fine link NBN @20. Thanks for that.
I love these nostalgic posts. George was a real servant to the club, an unsung hero.
I was at WHL that night and there must have been 50000+ outside the ground who couldn’t get in and then a few days later.
The night we beat Liverpool in the 1971 CF and secured the double.
http://twitpic.com/8h7jpx/full
http://twitpic.com/8h7k5v/full
Absolutely outstanding ‘H. Thanks. I’ve mentioned many times before that Geordie was the Storey Dad’s fave in the 70s. RIP both.
It was so moving, reading all the comments about Dad. This is great as he has,. 4 grandsons and 1 granddaughter, and they will.be able to read this one day and learn more about the man we all adored !!! Thanks
Thanks Jill,
He was a man to be proud of.
Jill, brilliant that you popped-in and graced us with your presence in ‘Holic’s bar.
You dad may have left us but he’ll never be forgotten.
Cheers.
Wow, just wow…
Thanks again.
Thanks again, It is hard to believe it will be 13 years on the 31 October. Thanks for keeping his memory alive, it helps us knowing he is not forgotten. Kind Regards Jill
The magic of ‘holic….
Fantastic stuff,just missed the great man by a season-started worshipping in 78 at the red & white church- I had a couple of seasons in east upper and an old boy up there never gave up about him-Geordie was Proper Arsenal he told me!
great stuff, holic. and the “holic magic” dust seems to have gotten in my eyes…anyone have a tissue?
Geordie was what you want every Arsenal player to be.
Brilliant fella ,best crosser of the ball bar none….my highlight of him was when he took the time out to present my football team with our medals ,our coach Don was a friend of his and he was only too pleased to do it ……..saw him many years later in winch more hill and he remembered that day !…..Legend.
Some tremendous remembrances up there and a great link @ #58. Never knew Geordie was called “meals on wheels” by The Northbank faithful, very amusing.
I can only remember watching Geordie from The West Stand sat next to my dad.
Cheers all, top posting.
PS: Where’s His Cliveness when you need him most?
TS, I too have wondered, albeit in silence most times, about Mr Clive’s whereabouts, he did say he was staying away for a while but would return when the season starts. I hope he is fine wherever he is.
Amazing. You never know who is in this bar.
Great to see a post from Jill A-M.
Very reminiscent of when Gooner Terry’s wife popped in.
I’ve said it before, but this place doubles the pleasure of supporting the Arsenal.
Cheers ‘H.
Jill,
Your Dad gave huge pleasure to Arsenal fans for so many years. He was a man to be very proud of and I’m very proud he played for my club. The word legend is ridiculously overused and should be reserved for men like Geordie Armstrong .
Thanks all.
Oh Jill, you must be so proud – your Dad was so special to us regulars on the terraces back in those days.
I posted my earliest memory a little earlier, but another so memorable moment comes to mind.
Mid-sixties, it was the Billy Wright tenure and really the club was at it’s lowest ebb. Who were we playing, I can’t remember, but I think we were losing 3-0. All of a sudden Eddie Clamp scores a goal for the Arsenal. The game was well out of sight and the crowd showed no response.There was no jubilation from the goalscorer or his team-mates. That is apart from one – yes Geordie rushed across the pitch to slap Eddie on the back to congratulate him.
What a man
Jill, oh how I wished I could have known him, to have met him and to have told him how we all felt.
Love to you and your family..
How good of Jill to pop in, must be a chip off the old block.
Another memory of Geordie was the Ray Kennedy testimonial game v Liverpool in 1991. It was a mixture of the then current teams & pastmasters, such as Kenny Dalglish, Souness & Jon Sammels. As I remember it the game was reasonably competitive for a testimonial & Geordie, well 10/12 years past his playing days, still looked like the kid I saw in 1960 pelting down both flanks with the same determination & skill to put over the perfect cross.
Eddie Clamp & Geordie the definition of ‘chalk & cheese’. Clamp played very few games for Billy Wright, went ‘over the top’ once too often, was told he would never play for Arsenal again & didn’t. He was flogged off to refine his skills at our friends Stoke City.
There will be a post in the week, but to those who contributed to the Gooner Terry fund can I just say, if I haven’t already personally, a huge thank you.
You are truly a remarkable bunch.
A very nicely written bit of reminiscence that made this relative newcomer to the Arsenal clan read up more about him. That 1971 team — based on just the video clips, thanks NBN @ 20 , your clip led to a few others — looked to be a bit like the current one, no? Some really seasoned pros and a few up and coming exciting talents, solid defense and counter attacking at speed, and in Armstrong’s own words at that interview, team spirit and trust in one another being the strongest feature of the team.
Also, based on those clips again, he reminds one a little bit of Santi, right? Small statured, two-footed, dribbler, great work rate…but of course a genuine winger unlike Santi who is less of a crosser and more of a playmaker.
Anyway, we always learn to appreciate the new experiences by starting with their resemblance to the familiar … really enjoyed the piece and the 1971 season clips, including the FA cup final.
I think he was more like Joe Haverty, my favourite memory of Arsenal in the 1950s Dr F. Just a shortie at not much more than 5′ but a real tricky player who could make opposition fullbacks look foolish. I particularly remember him playing a major role in putting 7 past Man City at Highbury. A win made even better by me winning the sixpence a corner comp in our section of the North terrace stand (when stand was the only option, no seating).
Öskar
In the modern game I think Geordie would be a full back. I can see the likeness to Milner but Geordie had more ability to get past a defender & get the cross in. It is hard & unfair to make comparisons from different periods, the game has changed in so many ways.
Joe Haverty was real crowd pleaser wasn’t he Oscar? Full of guile, a teaser of full backs but it would take him 3 matches to put in the shift Geordie could do in one.
These posts are great especially for the younger supporters who have no idea what the barren years were like and though only for a brief time living in the shadows of Spurs.
Freezing our bolloxs off week after week and then this
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/lowest-attendance-for-leeds-loss
A game George and others most probably never forgot 🙂
That’s what you get when you tinker too much with the kit. Weird looking bunch without white sleeves.
It’s late’ish Monday night here in Australia and I’ve just had the wildest few days of work in more than a decade and I’m back on a plane at 6 in the morning.
So I haven’t read the piece yet but I saw the headline and I will get back to it later in the week as well as all the drinks.
I can’t wait till I get to read this no doubt special piece. He was the first Arsenal player to capture my imagination – I owe him so much.
This place is the best!!!
What H2H said.
About ten years ago I was having a few Guinnesses at Mulligan’s Pub in Hoboken, New Jersey when I spotted Giorgio Chinaglia talking to the guv’nor Paul, as genial a host as you could wish to meet (although a misguided Chelsea man). I told Giorgio that I’d been at both 1970 Fairs Cup games against Lazio. His comment was “Radford got three goals but that little bastard Armstrong, we couldn’t stop him, he drove us nuts.” Great player, great days.
I only wanted to backdrink a little bit and now I’m sitting here with my eyes wet.
What a fantastic place this is! Absolutely love it to read these storys from a time I did wet more than just my eyes 🙂
Not to forget the comments of all you guys.
Keep it up that way please.
Holic,
A beautiful tribute Holic. One of your best, enriched all the more by the contributions since!
Proud to be old (school).
Salute.
Evening All,
And all of the above is why this is by far the best blog out there, Quality from top to bottom and does a True Legend proud,
Just got around to reading the Guardian obituary. That many games for one club is remarkable and not something likely to be matched soon, unfortunately. Loyalty, as we have seen in recent departures, does not seem to be a commodity in abundance these days. But it would be terrific to see an Arsenal player approach the number of appearances of Armstrong, Adams and O’Leary.
Goose bumps … Holic and those who contributed with their memories, pics etc, thank you. George was before my time with the Arsenal but just reading up about the man and the player, his qualities on and off the pitch, encapsulates what it has always been about for me. Raises glass to everyone,
Kelsey @82
Your revisiting of that awful night at the end of Billy Wright’s reign as manager reminds us all to cherish the good times because the bad times are sure to come around again. I think that night and the 8-2 defeat at ManUre were the lowest points I have experienced as an Arsenal fan. 1966 was a great year for English football but it wasn’t initially a great year for us although the Bertie Mee era began then and saw a huge change .
Nice to reflect on those days from the top of the table and nice that Geordie Armstrong eventually enjoyed the very good times after many years of loyal service and frustration.
A clip of one of Highbury’s best ever nights, kicked off by George Armstrong – Arsenal 3 – 0 Anderlecht.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MbCnRr3wbPg
Low points, ttg ?
Swindon at Wembley sprang to mind, but have to be the “Eduardo” game at Birmingham, and the “Ramsey” game at Stoke.
No result has ever left me feeling quite as sick as either of those.
I’ll be sleeping for the ton, so I’ll just punt it up field and raise a toast to all that have come before.
Salud
@ 93 arsabeatbarca
Now you just start getting better now, you hear! Not liking what I’m reading on Twitter at all, but I know your optimism and goodness will carry you through these dark days.
The 1969 League Cup Final was an all time low for me. We fielded 8 Englishman and 3 Scots and although the pitch was a bog and several players had had flu,most of us thought we only had to turn up to beat lowly Swindon.
George played that day and I always remember Bobby Gould scoring and crying near the end of the ninety minutes.
It wasn’t to be and we lost 3-1in extra time, but this adversity actually led to better things with the Fairs Cup Final win the following year and then the glorious double, though post match ,if we were honest with ourselves, not many of us thought that would happen.
Funny old game.
Abb,
I don’t use Twitter so I’ve no idea what Esso is talking about, but I hope you’re ok, or start to improve as of now.
No need to tell you of all people to stay positive. 😉
Bang
Great read and awesome contributions from all around the bar, it is especially refreshing for rather young fan as I am to find out about great players of the past.
Since today is Özils birthday, I recommend reading pretty nice interview with boss about his capture this summer on .com http://www.arsenal.com/news/features/-ozil-knew-i-wanted-him-for-a-long-time-
Long time reader/admirer of this blog and, despite following that lot up the road, felt compelled to add my thoughts on George. I well remember him as a thorn in the side of Spurs in the 70’s and I was fortunate to meet him in May 2000, when through my job I accompanied the Arsenal Directors and WAGS trip to the UEFA Cup Final in Copenhagen. I rolled up at London Colney at about 6 in the morning and Mr Armstrong was the first person I spoke to. He could not have been more friendly. I sat with him on the journey and we had a long chat about the game, especially the local rivalry we all love so much. A genuinely lovely man and I was very shocked at his death just a few months later. Nice to read such a fitting tribute to him.
That’s great stuff Dave, cheers for that.
Yet another example of why this bar is such a great place. We get fans from opposing clubs for whom we nurse a more than healthy rivallry coming on here, admitting who they support, making sensible contributions in a respectful way and being treated with respect.
Thanks, Dave.
Eändy@101 – Great link, thanks.
Did you spot the bit in Arsène’s comments about Flamini, where he said he changed his policy about re-signing players a few years back because he “didn’t neccessarily want to be stubborn”. It’s almost as though he listens to his critics, assesses their criticisms and responds when he thinks they are justified.
Food for thought.
Esso and Trev, Thanks fellas for your kind words. This here bar is my life line! 😉 Now go out there and conquer the day 🙂
Eandy, nice link. Happy B’day to the ‘real’ special one! Dave, we really enjoy hearing from fans of other clubs, especially ones as nice as you! 😉 I suspect Spurs to be a real force, as the season wears on and they start to gel. We the Arsenal, must not let our guard down! 🙂
Such a wonderful place this bar is, indeed. Thanks ‘Holic.
In other news, good ones from the injury front.
http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2013/10/15/4334197/cazorla-set-for-arsenal-comeback-as-walcott-sagna-close-in?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Abb, hope everything is ok.
Hey guys,
Do any of you know of a spare ticket for the CoC vs Chelsea?
I have a connection in London that day.
Flight to Israel is at 22:30 so I have to know if I can get a spare before I contact British Airways to change it to 30 Oct.
Thanks!
Lovely stuff Dave.
Pangloss,
When someone as generous of spirit as Abb is struggling, it seems stupid for folks who all ultimately share an objective to be at odds.
There is an olive branch and a drink on the bar – and wise words at 104 and 105. 😉
“I – more than anyone – want the great players to play for Arsenal Football Club. If we have to spend the money to do that, I will spend the money.” Arsene Wenger from his dot.com interview.
If he managed to get Özil, it could well happen too.
Dave, nice post.
abb, hadn’t seen your tweet before but I sincerely hope this is a battle you will win. Get well soon!
Haven’t said much in this session as I have little to contribute but as always I’ve loved reading all the stories and memories of older days.
Snir, there are currently hundreds (if not a few thousands, even) of tickets available on arsenal.com for that game so if you are a Red Member you can just get one for yourself. And if you are not, the tickets are only 20 pounds so even with the added cost of a membership it would be just over £50.
Abb – Sending you warmest wishes and kindest regards for your recovery. Stay strong Nursie. Take care.
Hahahah this is hilarious 😀 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-p3Fd4DMAA&feature=youtu.be featuring Poldi and Mesut XD (but not in a way you would expect)
So me ole mucker from the wrong side of the tracks has finally posted has he? 😉
Good to see you here Dave, hope you’re well mate. Lovely post, I remember you talking about that Copenhagen trip.
Top man.
Abb – you got mail.
Lars – thanks mate. Was under the impression that the game is sold out.
My mum said that dad always said,.he was so lucky to do a job, he loved and get
paid for it!!!!!
Mum thanks you all for your kind words, it means a lot to us,.as we miss him, so very much.
Trev, I see you Olive Branch and raise you a buried hatchet. Thanks for the drink, I’ve left another, with your name on it, where I found it.
Snowy, tabs – whatsapp 🙂
Snir, you’ve got mail 🙂 Lurky, Lars, Tabs and Trev. Thank you. Everyone here has their own problems, you just don’t talk about them. I took my on going battle with skin cancer to twitter, to raise AWARENESS. When caught early it has a high cure rate. When detected EARLY on. Being the Queen of Denial, has caught up with me … but I will be around for quite sometime, so please, no worries!!!
abb, any time your will to keep up the fight flags, take a seat at this here bar. I know a couple dozen holics who will pick it up and carry the weight for you. We’ve got your back! big hugs…
Bit off topic in things relating to Arsenal, but as there was discussion about sports in USA and how the whole business is ran, can you imagine this happening in European football?
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1806792-tomas-hertl-showboating-joe-thorntons-crude-backing-both-good-for-nhl
It is bit like if Serge Gnabry for example, played third game for us, scored 4 goals against lets say Liverpool (Rangers are not a weak team by any means) and his fourth goal was pinpoint top corner lob over the keeper from his own half (or something equally cheeky requiring tremendous amount of skill).
Just unbelievable how media (and so called pundit experts) can twist something so beautiful gamewise into something they want to despise.
And abb, huge support your way..as scrüz said, we are here for you:)
Abb, I’m all “behind” your recovery. 🙂
Abb…you are the Queen of this blog and we are your servants to bring you cheer you need it. Your courage in bringing early awareness into the open is a generous thought. Keep on the positive track.
Whoops….”when you need it”. Typos don’t diminish with age 😉
Abb- massive good wishes. This is the place to come when you feel blue– or red!
Dave,
Lovely note mate. Many thanks. I posted a get well soon note to Steve Perryman on a Spurs blog last year and it generated some nice friendly banter.
I am reading Dennis Bergkamp’s autobiography at the moment. He is the man who MUST take over as Head of our Academy
Abb,
I’m going to break ranks here and advise you not to approach The Quackery with your condition.
Dr C appears to have only one answer to everything and I remain to be convinced that the paddles will offer you much of a cure.
abb, what SCG said at 122. Stay positive. And good for you in speaking up.
SZCZ singing Poland is not Yet Lost instead of God Save the Queen? What could he be thinking? 😉
Kos playing for France tonight, so guess that calf injury was not anything serious.
Özil 1 goal and 1 assist before going out because of pain in what looked like the knee. He went off on his own though so hopefully it’s nothing bad.
Löw will be my least favorite person if he can’t play the coming game.
This is exactly what I did not want to read Lovegood, it looks like someone just does not want us to see Santi and Mesut playing together. I hope it is just a knock which can be shrugged off in coming days. Meanwhile OG scores yet again for France (it was written down as own goal but it would go in anyway), Kos playing full match so fingers crossed everyone is going to be ok.
Just a bruised knee for Ozil, apparently. Hope he’ is fit for Saturday.
Ramsey with another goal for Wales. I did not saw his game today, but I saw him on Friday vs. Macedonia. He missed a penalty, but was MOTM by a far. Reminded me of Fabregas.
Wow! 🙂 xx
At this rate we won’t need Bendtner to get on the pitch, well, except when we need to rest Giroud and Ramsey.
Glad Wotejk was on Top form, Lewandowski has got his high horse up his butt but hey……….
England was too strong! Fair play!
Any injuries to the Arsenal lot lads?
Looking forward to the game on the weekend! Real FOOTBALL!
Again what they all said, abb. Take care
Sounds from Woy’s glowing remarks about Townsend that Theo has lost his place as a starter in the England team.
Not sure how well that new England formation will hold up in the heat of Brazil against a team that can retain possession, control the tempo and counter at pace. Poland played it end to end like a mid-table Premiership game and still the England defence look very vulnerable.
The eight runners-up facing the play-offs in the Europe section are Croatia, Sweden, Romania, Iceland, Portugal, Greece, Ukraine and France.
So we have a two legged affair with our eyes firmly fixed on France, who depending on the draw are not a given ut more importanty extra games for Kos and Giroud.
With regards to last night’s match between England and Poland I only heard it on the radio and all the commentators were shitting themselves for most of the second half, hoping England would hold on .
It is nice to get to Brazil but let’s face it being seeded in the second pot we will do well to get out of our Group.
Totally not Arsenal related but Snir posted this on facebook and I just thought to share it here http://www.ariseindiaforum.org/nurse-reveals-the-top-5-regrets-people-make-on-their-deathbed/
hi Holic
looking forward to meeting you on saturday!
Cant wait to see the Arsenal play again – then I can get the fuck out of Blighty!
Be a pleasure and an honour to buy you a real pint as a opposed to a virtual one — hoping to witness the mouth watering prospect of Santi and Ozil playing together for the first time!
Souwester and fishermans friends at the ready…………
You’ll be in good conpany Imp Fail.
Wolfie’s normal attire for inclement conditions is the PVC Speedos teamed with a sensible 4″ stilletto Jimmy Choo Wellie and yellow Souwester hat.
It will probably be a bit wet for the feather boa, but one wouldn’t want to overdo things, would one ? 😉
Afternoon Holic,
I think I might be stuck in the spam filter. ?
Oh ! I’m not. 😉
Afternoon all.
Nice one Dave.
==
Nursie, stay strong sister, best wishes for a speedy recovery.
==
Been a bit under the weather myself the last few days, nothing serious, just a touch of the stomach flu, enough to keep me out of the bar last night, so I dove under the covers and tuned into the England game, which in no way, shape or form made me feel any better. Watching Engeland just doesn’t do it for me, I was happy that they won, but that’s mostly because of the stick I’d take if they’d failed to qualify, because maybe unlike back home, people here actually do care about the national team, probably because their league is so shit (that’s what I tell them, anyway. 😉 )
Roll on Saturday for some proper footy.
It turns out the game this weekend is on TV (online, actually) in the States on something called NBC Sports Live Extra. I googled NSLE to figure out what the h*ll it is, and they have an FAQ to help people get the thing to work, including this point which is most pertinent in my case. The only problem is, contacting my TV provider in the past has been a near impossibility. 🙁
*What if I forgot my username and/or password?
Most TV providers offer a simple way to retrieve or reset your password. Please contact your TV provider to learn more.
I just checked and our game is not been broadcasted here. 🙁
Seriously, this new sports packet is useless. Last year I didn’t miss a single minute of our games, now thanks to Fox I’ve hardly seen a thing. *^%!!!
You know me too well Trev 😉
heh H2H, I know how you feel.
not single czech TV is offering full coverage of PL so I simply gave up on it and during last three years I rely on streams and it is usually without any fuss.
I try to get ones with good quality with english commentary and Bloodzeed is often way to go.
If that is not available, I just opt for russian Sopcasts, since quality of their streams is just incredible (usually 1500kbps +), sometimes even my bandwith cannot handle it. Thanks to it I have been able to watch pretty much every single game when I could.
It’s really frusrtating, Eandy. I can watch streams too, but that’s not the point.
A bit of good news, it seems the mighty and all powerful Ö will be available for Saturday.
I have to say that based on my observations over the last 8 months and notwithstanding the fact that I hate Spurs and love Arsenal , Townsend should be in the England team ahead of Theo. it is possible he could play on the left leaving Theo to play on the right but he is a much more consistent crosser and more two footed. He also beats players more easily. Theo is possibly a better finisher but Croatia apart has never had the impact on an England game Townsend has in the last two games.
Spurs fans tell me he cuts in too much and has no end product but based on what I have seen he is much better than Lennon .
I still hope Theo makes it to Brazil and am pretty confident he will. World Cups have not been lucky for him and he is a decent international player now.
Lovely to see Ramsey playing so well for Wales and I thought Wojciech was very good last night- except on crosses.
Hi everyone. Thanks again for all your well wishes 🙂 H2H, trust you are feeling better. But just to play it safe, make sure you know where the rest rooms are, if you venture out (ha ha). 8ball and company, I too am most unhappy with my sports package. No Champs League and unable to figure out how to access the NBC Sports Extra, which will have the Norwich game. Ollie, I hope you have found a Gooner bar with great fans to keep you company. It’s been a challenging year for you! Impressive F., safe travels, and I just know you’re gonna have one terrific time 😉 Trev, how you make me laugh!
Ttg, Didn’t see the game, watched Italy. But my twitter feed was full of praise for Townsend. Now I know you all are just going to shake your good looking mugs, but umm, I wish Mario was available in January. The guy is crazy, but he has true talent. He just needs to harness it. And stop collecting red cards! 😉
Happy to report that Cent’s link @ 142, NOW works. 🙂
abb, there is no doubt about Balotellis talent, but his on and off field antics put him in same rank as Suarez. He also has ego so massive that compared to him Nick Bendtner is a humble boyscout.
So in my opinion he would be very disruptive element in the dressing room.
On the other hand, if there is any coach who could probably make him behave and achieve his full potential, it is Arsene, but not now.
Oh Eandy, Yes on both accounts. Massive ego, galore! But I have been studying him for quite some time. I do believe Arsene could benefit him, both as a player and as a person. When he takes his PK’s, it’s almost like he feels PRESSURED, to do something UNIQUE. He put that upon himself, by trying to create a unique persona 🙁
Evening all, my Internet has been all shades of Spurs(sh*t) this week so getting on here and Twitter as been a bit of struggle.
Ttg, with all due respect, I disagree on Townsend’s quality. He is no where near Theo or even Lennon’s level at the moment, just like Gnabry, he has the potential to become better than Theo in future(he is already 22, mind) but he is not there yet, so until then he remains just that; potential, In my humble opinion of course.
Nursie, Eandy knows re Balotelli and I don’t think he will be comfortable been Giroud’s no 2.
Cent
Very much respect your views as we are all guessing!
But sadly as he plays for THEM I think he is much better than either.I see in him an uplift in quality way beyond Theo who is not diversifying as a player but is still a decent international.Lennon is a painting by numbers winger. You can see him trying to decide what to do next. He hasn’t got a natural winger’s bone in his body.
If all three lost their pace who would you pick as the best player.? I think it has to be Townsend.
This place? C’est magnifique.
Eandy @ 123, that… was magnificent (*o*) Always had a passing interest in the NHL but it could further be cemented with that one moment of sheer skill and technique.
You make good points Ttg, if all three lost their pace who I will pick will depend on where I want them to play in my team, they will probably all be useless as wingers so I would pick Theo to play as a second striker in a 442 because Theo consistently makes the kind of short runs Townsend and, to an extent, Lennon can only dream of but if I must use them as Wingers then I’d pick Lennon as he is more two-footed and passes better than the other two.
Townsend is where Adam Jonhson was a few years back, he might still go on and have a better career than Johnson or even Theo but I just can’t see beyond him been a one trick pony at the moment.
Thanks Snir and abb for the top five list. At least I won’t have to worry about #2. 😉
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