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George Armstrong (footballer)

{{short description|English footballer and manager}}

{{use British English|date=November 2017}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = George "Geordie" Armstrong

| image = Geordie_Armstrong_Fa_Cup.jpg

| caption = Geordie with the FA Cup

| fullname = George Armstrong

| birth_date = {{birth date|1944|8|9|df=y}}

| birth_place = Hebburn, County Durham, England

| death_date = {{death date and age|2000|11|1|1944|8|9|df=y}}

| death_place = Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England

| height = {{height|ft=5|in=6}}

| position = Winger

| years1 = 1961–1977

| clubs1 = Arsenal

| caps1 = 500

| goals1 = 53

| years2 = 1977–1978

| clubs2 = Leicester City

| caps2 = 15

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 1978–1979

| clubs3 = Stockport County

| caps3 = 34

| goals3 = 0

| years4 = 1980–1981

| clubs4 = Mjølner

| caps4 = 33

| goals4 = 3

| totalcaps = 582

| totalgoals = 56

| manageryears1 =

| managerclubs1 = Enderby Town

1984/5. Worcester City

| manageryears2 = 1980–1981

| managerclubs2 = FK Mjølner

| manageryears3 = 1988–1989

| managerclubs3 = Kuwait

}}

George "Geordie" Armstrong (9 August 1944 – 1 November 2000) was an English football player and coach, who was mostly associated with Arsenal. A winger, Armstrong made his Arsenal debut in 1962 at the age of 17 and went on to make 621 appearances{{snd}}which was then an all-time club record{{snd}}before he left Highbury in 1977. He spent a season each with Leicester City and Stockport County, and then took up coaching, both domestically and abroad. After a year as Kuwait national team manager, Armstrong returned to Arsenal as reserve-team coach in 1990, a post which he held for the remaining ten years of his life.

Playing career

Armstrong was born in Kipling Avenue, Hebburn, County Durham.{{Sfn|Seager|2014}} After leaving school he took up an apprenticeship as an electrician, at Hawthorne Leslie{{Sfn|Seager|2014}} and played works football with his older brothers.{{Sfn|Seager|2014}} He had an unsuccessful trial with Grimsby Town,{{Sfn|Seager|2014}} and was on the books of Newcastle United as an amateur.{{Sfn|Seager|2014}} The Newcastle United coaching staff fell out with Armstrong following a mix up which resulted in Armstrong missing one game,{{Sfn|Seager|2014}} consequentially as a result of the fall out, the stubborn Newcastle staff would rarely pick him.{{Sfn|Seager|2014}} He signed for Arsenal early in the 1961–62 season.{{Sfn|Seager|2014}}

Armstrong arrived at Highbury as an inside forward but was soon switched to the wing.{{cite web |url=http://www.blog.woolwicharsenal.co.uk/archives/3286 |title=George Armstrong: signed by Swindin but came good under Mee |first=Tony |last=Attwood |website=woolwicharsenal.co.uk |publisher=AISA Arsenal History Society |date=2 April 2012 |access-date=9 March 2017}} He made his senior debut while still only 17, against Blackpool on 24 February 1962 in a match that Arsenal won 1–0.{{cite web |url=http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football/arsenal-fc/george-armstrong-6762/league-apperances-for-arseanl_a12658/ |title=George Armstrong Arsenal FC |website=sporting-heroes.net |access-date=9 March 2017}} Although he started out as understudy to Johnny MacLeod and Alan Skirton,{{Sfn|Seager|2014|p=44}} by the 1963–64 season he had become a regular in the side, and in 1964–65 he missed only two matches.{{cite web |url=http://www.thearsenalhistory.com/stat/aftlu.htm |title=Arsenal first team line-ups |first=Andy |last=Kelly |website=The Arsenal History |access-date=10 November 2017}} Select season required.

Over time Armstrong became one of Arsenal's most consistent players, who was noted for the quality and accuracy of his crossing and corner kicks, as well as for his tireless running along the wing.{{cite web |url=https://www.arsenal.com/historic/players/george-armstrong |title=George Armstrong |publisher=Arsenal F.C. |access-date=10 November 2017}} He primarily played on the left, but was also effective on the right.{{Sfn|Seager|2014|p=147}} Signed by George Swindin but maturing under Billy Wright's management, he was one of several players from the Wright era such as Jon Sammels and Peter Storey who became an integral part of successor Bertie Mee's Arsenal side.{{cite web |url=http://www.blog.woolwicharsenal.co.uk/archives/3277 |title=Bob Wilson, Billy Wright's problem and Bertie Mee's solution |first=Tony |last=Attwood |website=woolwicharsenal.co.uk |publisher=AISA Arsenal History Society |date=30 March 2012 |access-date=9 March 2017}}

After losing two successive League Cup finals, in 1967–68 and 1968–69,{{cite web |url=http://www.11v11.com/players/george-armstrong-28747/ |title=George Armstrong |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=9 March 2017}} Armstrong was instrumental in the Gunners winning the 1969–70 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, and was voted Arsenal's Player of the Year for 1970.{{Sfn|Seager|2014|pp=16–17}} He played in every match the following season as Arsenal completed the League and FA Cup double,{{cite web |url=http://www.11v11.com/teams/arsenal/tab/players/season/1971/ |title=All Arsenal football club players: 1971 |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=9 March 2017}} and according to the club's website, "it was estimated that [he] had a hand in more than half of the goals scored in the Double season". These included Ray Kennedy's winning header in the last match of the season, against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, that won Arsenal the League title.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2377491/Arsenal-hoping-history-repeats-itself-in-N17.html |title=Arsenal hoping history repeats itself in N17 |first=John |last=Ley |website=The Telegraph |date=23 April 2004 |access-date=10 November 2017}}

Armstrong remained with the club through the 1970s, as Arsenal failed to win any further trophies after their Double win; he played at least thirty matches in each season he was at the club during that decade. However, after falling out with Mee's successor, Terry Neill, he moved to Leicester City in September 1977 for £15,000. He played only 14 League matches in his single season with the Foxes, and finished his career in England with Stockport County.{{Hugman|488|access-date=9 March 2017}} In 1980-81 he was the player-manager for Mjølner, Norway, playing his last match against Bodø/Glimt on 5 July 1981.{{cite news |url=https://www.nb.no/items/URN:NBN:no-nb_digavis_nordlys_null_null_19810706_80_152_1?page=7 |title=Poengdeling også i Narvik |language=no |newspaper=Nordlys |date=6 July 1981 |page=9}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nb.no/items/117f2e5b4139288bdb909a90f6eb6322?page=11 |title=ÅRS-TOPP av Mjølner – tross uavgjort igjen |language=no |newspaper=Fremover |date=6 July 1981 |pages=11–12}}{{ cite book | first=Tore | last=Bakkejord | date = 1988 | title = Rødt, hvitt og godt : med Mjølner mot 1. divisjon |language=no | url = http://urn.nb.no/URN:NBN:no-nb_digibok_2016072248007 | pages=73–74}} Player stats at Mjølner.

Having spent fifteen full seasons at Arsenal, most of them as an ever-present, Armstrong set an all-time club record for appearances{{snd}}621 competitive first-team appearances, which included exactly 500 in the league; his record has since been overtaken only by David O'Leary and Tony Adams. He also scored 68 goals for Arsenal. His profile on the club's website suggests he was "one of the most accomplished players never to have won a full cap" for England, despite being capped at youth level and five times for the under-23 team; this was attributed to England manager Alf Ramsey's policy of not using wingers.

Coaching career

After retiring as a player, Armstrong moved into coaching, and worked for clubs including Fulham, Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and Queens Park Rangers. He managed Enderby Town and Norwegian club FK Mjølner, and managed the Kuwaiti national team between 1988 and 1989.{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/kuw-coach.html |title=Kuwait national team coaches |first=Hassanin |last=Mubarak |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF) |date=8 May 2014 |access-date=9 March 2017}} In 1990, before the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, he returned to England,{{Sfn|Seager|2014|p=201}} where he rejoined Arsenal as reserve team coach,{{cite news |title=Edwards deal sets up United to go public |first=Cynthia |last=Bateman |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=10 July 1990 |page=16 |quote=Arsenal's manager George Graham has appointed George Armstrong, a colleague in the 1971 Double team, as reserve-team coach.}} a post which he retained for the rest of his life, despite the club's many managerial upheavals.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/graham-vows-to-contest-his-dismissal-1574356.html |title=Graham vows to contest his dismissal |first=Trevor |last=Haylett |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=22 February 1995 |access-date=9 March 2017}}
{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2378055/Arsenal-solid-on-Rioch-foundations.html |title=Arsenal solid on Rioch foundations |first=Roy |last=Collins |newspaper=Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=2 May 2004 |access-date=9 March 2017}}
{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-red-faces-as-houston-walks-out-1363308.html |title=Football: Red faces as Houston walks out |first=Trevor |last=Haylett |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=13 September 1996 |access-date=9 March 2017}} During his time coaching at Arsenal Armstrong was responsible for bringing many young players through the ranks, including Steve Morrow, Ray Parlour and Paul Dickov.

Death

On 31 October 2000, Armstrong collapsed after a brain haemorrhage while taking a training session. He died in Hemel Hempstead Hospital during the early hours of the following morning.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/1001900.stm |title=Arsenal legend Armstrong dies |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 November 2000 |access-date=7 November 2017}} He was survived by his wife, Marjorie, and their two children,{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2000/nov/02/guardianobituaries.brianglanville |title=George Armstrong |first=Brian |last=Glanville |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=2 November 2000 |access-date=9 March 2017}} Jill and Tom.{{Sfn|Seager|2014|p=23}} A pitch at Arsenal's London Colney training ground has been named in his memory.{{cite news |url=http://www.haverhill-uk.com/news/george-is-strip-off-old-block-691.htm |title=George is strip off old block |first=Jo |last=Deeks |website=haverhill-uk.com |date=14 June 2001 |access-date=9 March 2017}}

In 2022 it was announced that his medals and awards, given to him throughout his career, would be sold at auction in April, 2022.[https://www.dnw.co.uk/auctions/catalogue/lot.php?auction_id=627&lot_uid=419460 George Armstrong's Medals and Awards Auction Sale] Retrieved 16 March 2022. Memorabilia items were also auctioned in 2022.{{Cite web |title=Arsenal team-signed George Armstrong Testimonial Committee Dinner & Ball programme held at the |url=https://bidlive.grahambuddauctions.co.uk/past-auctions/srgrah10031/lot-details/26b826ba-b0fc-48b1-a3f7-adda00d1fa2b |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=bidlive.grahambuddauctions.co.uk}}

Playing statistics

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"

|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

! rowspan="2" |Club

! rowspan="2" |Season

! colspan="3" |League

! colspan="2" |FA Cup

! colspan="2" |League Cup

! colspan="2" |Europe

! colspan="2" |Total

Division

!Apps

!Goals

!Apps

!Goals

!Apps

!Goals

!Apps

!Goals

!Apps

!Goals

rowspan="17" |Arsenal

|1961–62{{Sfn|James|Andrews|Kelly|2018|p=268}}

|First Division

|4

|1

|0

|0

| colspan="2" |—

| colspan="2" |—

|4

|1

1962–63{{Sfn|James|Andrews|Kelly|2018|p=272}}

|First Division

|16

|2

|0

|0

| colspan="2" |—

| colspan="2" |—

|16

|2

1963–64{{Sfn|James|Andrews|Kelly|2018|p=276}}

|First Division

|28

|3

|4

|2

| colspan="2" |—

|3{{Efn|Appearances in Inter-Cities Fairs Cup|name=ICFC}}

|0

|35

|5

1964–65{{Sfn|James|Andrews|Kelly|2018|p=280}}

|First Division

|40

|4

|2

|1

| colspan="2" |—

| colspan="2" |—

|42

|5

1965–66{{Sfn|James|Andrews|Kelly|2018|p=284}}

|First Division

|39

|6

|1

|0

| colspan="2" |—

| colspan="2" |—

|40

|6

1966–67{{Sfn|James|Andrews|Kelly|2018|p=288}}

|First Division

|40

|7

|4

|1

|3

|0

| colspan="2" |—

|47

|8

1967–68{{Sfn|James|Andrews|Kelly|2018|p=292}}

|First Division

|42

|5

|5

|0

|8

|0

| colspan="2" |—

|55

|5

1968–69{{Sfn|James|Andrews|Kelly|2018|p=296}}

|First Division

|29

|5

|3

|1

|6

|2

| colspan="2" |—

|38

|8

1969–70{{Sfn|James|Andrews|Kelly|2018|p=302}}

|First Division

|17

|3

|2

|0

|1

|0

|10{{Efn

name=ICFC}}

|0

|30

|3

1970–71{{Sfn|James|Andrews|Kelly|2018|p=306}}

|First Division

|42

|7

|9

|0

|5

|0

|8{{Efn

name=ICFC}}

|1

|64

|8

1971–72{{Sfn|James|Andrews|Kelly|2018|p=310}}

|First Division

|42

|2

|9

|2

|3

|0

|5{{Efn|Appearances in European Cup|name=EC}}

|1

|59

|5

1972–73{{Sfn|James|Andrews|Kelly|2018|p=314}}

|First Division

|30

|2

|7

|1

|0

|0

| colspan="2" |—

|37

|3

1973–74{{Sfn|James|Andrews|Kelly|2018|p=318}}

|First Division

|41

|0

|3

|0

|1

|0

| colspan="2" |—

|45

|0

1974–75{{Sfn|James|Andrews|Kelly|2018|p=322}}

|First Division

|24

|0

|8

|2

|2

|0

| colspan="2" |—

|34

|2

1975–76{{Sfn|James|Andrews|Kelly|2018|p=326}}

|First Division

|29

|4

|1

|0

|0

|0

| colspan="2" |—

|30

|4

1976–77{{Sfn|James|Andrews|Kelly|2018|p=330}}

|First Division

|37

|2

|2

|0

|6

|1

| colspan="2" |—

|45

|3

colspan="2" |Total

!500

!53

!60

!10

!35

!3

!26

!2

!621

!68

rowspan="3" |Leicester City

|1977–78{{Cite web |title=George Armstrong Club stats |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/george-armstrong-28747/ |access-date=7 January 2024 |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises}}

|First Division

|12

|0

|1

|1

|0

|0

| colspan="2" |—

|13

|1

1978–79

|Second Division

|3

|0

|1

|0

|0

|0

| colspan="2" |—

|4

|0

colspan="2" |Total

!15

!0

!2

!1

!0

!0

! colspan="2" |—

!17

!1

colspan="3" |Career total

!515

!53

!62

!11

!35

!3

!26

!2

!638

!69

{{Notelist}}

Honours

Arsenal{{cite book |first1=Leslie |first2=Jack |last1=Vernon |last2=Rollin |title=Rothmans Football Yearbook 1977–78 |year=1977 |publisher=Brickfield Publications Ltd |location=London |isbn=0354-09018-6 |page=491}}

Individual

References

General

  • {{cite book |last1=James |first1=Josh |title=Arsenal: The Complete Record |last2=Andrews |first2=Mark |last3=Kelly |first3=Andy |date=15 October 2018 |publisher=deCoubertin Books |isbn=978-1909245754 |editor-first= |location=Liverpool |language=en}}
  • {{cite book |last=Seager |first=Dave |title=Geordie Armstrong: On the Wing |date=20 November 2014 |publisher=Legends Publishing |isbn=978-1906796549 |editor-last= |editor-first= |location= |language=en}}

Citations{{reflist}}{{Arsenal F.C. Player of the Season}}{{Navboxes|title=Managerial positions|list1={{Worcester City F.C. managers}}

{{Kuwait national football team managers}}}}{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Armstrong, George}}

Category:1944 births

Category:2000 deaths

Category:Footballers from Hebburn

Category:English men's footballers

Category:England men's youth international footballers

Category:England men's under-23 international footballers

Category:Men's association football wingers

Category:Arsenal F.C. players

Category:Leicester City F.C. players

Category:Stockport County F.C. players

Category:English Football League players

Category:English football managers

Category:Worcester City F.C. managers

Category:Kuwait national football team managers

Category:Aston Villa F.C. non-playing staff

Category:Fulham F.C. non-playing staff

Category:Middlesbrough F.C. non-playing staff

Category:Queens Park Rangers F.C. non-playing staff

Category:Arsenal F.C. non-playing staff

Category:Expatriate football managers in Kuwait

Category:English expatriate sportspeople in Kuwait

Category:English expatriate football managers

Category:FK Mjølner players

Category:Expatriate football managers in Norway

Category:English expatriate sportspeople in Norway

Category:English expatriate men's footballers

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Norway

Category:20th-century English sportsmen