Multiple honoured with Arsenal (a League and Cup medalist in 1971, a Fairs Cup winner in 1970, and with runners-up medals from one further FA Cup and two League Cup campaigns).
This little Geordie terrier – a rare pertetual motion winger – was unfortunately past his peak when Frank McLintock laid out £15.000 to bring him to City.
The pace that had seen him through over 600 games at Highbury (exactly 500 in the League) and had earned him five England Under 23 caps, was largely gone, and even his renowed spirit waned a little in City’s abysmal relegation season Jock Wallace allowed him to leave early in the 1978/79 campaign.
He retired as a player the following summer. Having subsequently held various coaching positions with Aston Villa, Fulham, Enderby Town, Middlesbrough, QPR and Worcester City, and in both Norway and Kuwait.
George returned to Arsenal to look after their reserves in July 1990. 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.
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. He was survived by his wife, Marjorie, and their two children, Jill and Tom. A pitch at Arsenal’s London Colney training ground has been named in his memory.
In March 2022 it was announced that his medals and awards, given to him throughout his career, would be sold at auction the following month. Memorabilia items were also auctioned in 2022.[26]
FACTFILE:
- Full Name: George Armstrong
- Position: Winger
- Date of Birth: 09.08.1944
- Birthplace: Hebburn
- Nation: England
- Caps / Goals: – / –
- Major League Career:
- 1961-77, Arsenal (500/53)
- 1977-78, Leicester City (15/0)
- 1978-79, Stockport County (34/0)
- Links
- Category
Leave a Reply