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"George Armstrong was the embodiment of Arsenal spirit"
just heard that George Armstrong has died, to think I saw him training on the pitch before the game on Saturday, and to think he is dead, at 56, and by all accounts he was a great bloke, I don't want to get into a debate about religion but why people like Hindley, murderers live for years and people like George are taken early, I don't know
Larry Gold
It's very upsetting. He could only have been in his fifties. I started supporting Arsenal in 1971 when we moved down from Scotland, and he will forever be the face on one of the few football cards I refused to swap because it said "Arsenal" at the top. First of the first Double side to leave us, I think.... Wish I could be at THOF tonight, but I can't.... but a little part of SE1 will observe its own minute's silence at some point this evening. Sh*t, this is depressing... :-(
Simon
I have a football in my possession used in the FA Cup tie Blackpool v Arsenal 1970 It is signed by all of what was soon to become the "Double side" of 71 and by Bertie Mee and Don Howe. I've always been proud and amazed that everyone who signed that ball were alive 30 years later. I remember watching Geordie Armstrong from that season onwards and he was one of my fave' players. Its a sad day when two Georgie's die :o(
pk
Sad sad news. George Armstrong will always be one of the Arsenal greats. I remember in the days of Best, Dalgleish et al I always chose to be Geordie in the street games. I also remember the buzz I felt whenever he picked the ball up and headed up field in the few games I was allowed to attend at the THOF. A wonderful player and by all accounts a lovely person. Rest in peace. Thanks for the memories. Willo.
Oratia Gooner
As a player George Armstrong was not a household name outside of Highbury, but those of us who saw him play knew what a fantastic player he was for The Arsenal. He was a traditional winger with skill to go past his fullback and had a cross that the current players can only dream of. What set him apart, though, was his tremendous workrate and unselfish attitude. He would be making a saving tackle in his own corner only moments after being up in the attack. A no fuss, player's player. Thanks Geordie, you'll always be remembered
Rob
On behalf of all the fans who were privileged enough to see the late great George Armstrong play I'd like to thank all the younger fans who observed his minutes silence so impeccably at Highbury tonight. He was worthy of your tribute and much, much more. Thank you.
I only ever met the late great man on one occasion. It was at Villa Park before an infamous cup semi final replay with Manure. A short man in a Club coat walked past me under the stands and I recognised the face that graced the Arsenal shirt on over 621 occasions. 'Geordie' I called out. He stopped and turned and had the look of one who was expecting to recognise me, maybe because we were of the same generation.
I explained that I'd watched his entire career with Arsenal but had never previously had the opportunity to thank him for all the great times he'd given me as a player. In our brief but for me memorable conversation I found him to be modest, courteous, friendly and obviously still very much a part of the club. Not that I ever doubted that he was anything other than pure Arsenal. Geordie was as Arsenal as Chapman, Adams, Bastin, Wrighty or any of the other greats you care to mention.
Geordie was a winger in the days of a wingless England side and was without doubt the best attacking player never to be capped for his country. Our first double owed a considerable amount to the quality crosses he provided to big John Radford and Ray Kennedy. His dead ball kicking, especially from corners makes our current crop look pitiful by comparison. His ability to cross with either foot gave the opportunity to hit both in-swinging or out-swinging corners from either side.
Add to that accuracy and you'll understand why we were ominous in the air in Armstrong's time. More than anything else though I will remember Geordie the player for his tremendous heart. Picture that moment in a match when things are not quite going our way and a player closes a defender down, the defender passes it and he in turn is closed down by the same player, another pass and our man continues to chase for the ball, another pass and he's still there tigerishly refusing to be beaten, another pass another chase and this time he forces an error, we regain posession - the crowd is lifted and the team is lifted.
Geordie would be the one chasing, the sort of freeze frame moment that can change a game. But he wouldn't stop there he'd be off and running with the ball looking to start another attack. No ball was ever considered to be a lost cause by Geordie no matter how impossible it looked. That was just one of the reasons we loved him. Mike has already said how it was Geordie who chased a lost cause to win the ball and cross for Ray to score at WHL for the Championship in 71. And yes Mike I'm sure he did play in every League game, FA Cup game, League Cup and Fairs Cup game in 1970-71 season. He had an engine like no other player at THOF I've seen and he could cover more ground in a game than you would believe possible.
I don't believe I ever saw George leave a pitch looking anything other than absolutely knackered. I'm quite sure he felt that unless he'd run himself into the ground he hadn't given value for money. I can't think of any player who's ever given the fans and the Club more value for money. Marwood, Overmars, Limpar and many more I'm sure you will be familiar with have been great wingers and great internationals. None of them though would make my all time Arsenal XI ahead of the late great George Armstrong. George Armstrong was the embodiment of Arsenal spirit.
We'll miss you George.
Brian Dawes