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Memories of George from Around the world
This is truly sad.
I have only made a handful of trips to THOF, but my very first was in '70 to watch us stuff Notts Forest 4-0, and wee Georgie was dynamite that day. A real unsung hero of the double team and one whose passing will be mourned by many gooners from around the world. RIP Geordie
Neil Bennett
I`ll never forget Geordie Armstrong.
All you young gooners in your 30s and 20s won`t know what I mean by this but the man was a genius. Overmars and Marwood put together was our Geordie.
When he received the ball on the left wing and surged clear, the crowd, who had nothing much to shout about in those days, made a huge collective roar which Henry, Bergkamp and Pires would have envied. In all the years I have been going to Highbury, George Armstrong easily fits into my top 10 all time greats.
Joe Baker is another I have a similar affection for. Lets` hope Arsenal FC can give Geordie a fitting memorial this season by winning the Champions League, something I know would have excited him enormously.
clive
I am only a 27-year-old whippersnapper, yet the first time I ever met Geordie I was struck by his presence and generosity. I had up, until that point, only seen videotapes and footage of him playing during the 70s - to compare him to Overmars, Marwood, Limpar and co is not in any way out of place.
Anyway, it was during pre-season at Sittingbourne in Kent years ago. He'd brought the usual kind of team down with him - Smudger, Hillier, Not-So-Steady-Eddie, Nutty & Parlour all played, as did Vince The Clown and a few kids. I was walking past the Portakabins (masquerading as the changing rooms) with some friends and my dad when I saw him. Being a rather cocky 17 year-old I shouted "Oi! Geordie!" and gave him a wave to come over for a chat.
Not only did he come over to sign a few bits and bobs - my dad was VERY impressed indeed at meeting one of his heroes from the 70s - but he stood for fully 10 minutes chatting away to us about everything. Subjects ranged from the club, the team for that game, certain players, even asking about us and did we play at school / for clubs etc etc.
He even took time to talk to my - very shy(!) - dad about the 70s, the Double team and who from the team was where doing what back then. To me, that will be like my little girl going up to TA or LD2 or MK5 - whoever is a coach at AFC - in 20 years time (from the current bunch), and giving me the chance to talk to them about the great time our team is currently going through. I think I'd be just as gobsmacked as my dad was.
Anyway, all this went on whilst the team were either getting ready or warming up on the pitch. I still have his autograph at home, as does my dad. I've just rung him to tell him the news and he's upset to say the least. That autograph will now be treasured more than ever, and I hope, like Clive, the team goes on to win The CL for him. But how to give a fitting tribute to a man who gave a large proportion of his life to Arsenal? Surely if we are going to name the stands at THOF2, then, along with Ted Drake, Jack Kelsey, Frank McLintock, Charlie George & Herbert Chapman, George Armstrong must be well up in the running?
My mood of near-delirium and complete joy at the utterly execrable performance by Sp**s last night has now simply evaporated. I am sad - the club has lost a great man.
Nige
This is the saddest news I've heard in years.
I remember Geordie from the early seventies. Never stopped running and whipped in corners like you wouldn't believe. I'm sure I even remember him scoring direct from a corner, and if I'm not mistaken he did this twice in the same match (although I could be wrong I guess). All my earliest memories of going to Highbury include George in them somewhere. Very sad.
A great loss to not only his immediate family, but to the family we all call Arsenal Football Club. Seeya George Rest in Peace mate
I remember him on one wing and Jimmy Robertson on the other, swapping over if one of them was having a problem with their full back. I remember the Arsenal players particularly Peter Storey not passing to Marinello because they didnt want him to replace George. Above all I remember a man who always gave 120% who was Arsenal through and through. A legend and a part of our history.
Steve