David Armstrong (footballer, born 1954)

David Armstrong (born 26 December 1954) is an English former footballer who played most of his career for Middlesbrough (from 1972 to 1981), before moving to Southampton in August 1981 where he played for a further six seasons. He finished his league career with AFC Bournemouth in 1987–88.[3]

For other people with the same name, see David Armstrong (disambiguation).

David Armstrong
Personal information
Full name David Armstrong[1]
Date of birth (1954-12-26) 26 December 1954[1]
Place of birth Durham,[1] England
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[2]
Position(s) Attacking Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1971–1981 Middlesbrough 359 (59)
1981–1987 Southampton 222 (59)
1987–1988 AFC Bournemouth 9 (2)
Total 590 (120)
National team
1980–1984 England 3 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Football career

He was part of the Middlesbrough side of the 1970s managed by Jack Charlton which won the Second Division title and was a consistent Division One team for most of the decade. Towards the end of his time at Middlesbrough, he gained his first England cap. At Ayresome Park, Armstrong was noted for his remarkable durability – for many years he was ever-present in the #11 shirt, and as a testament to this was awarded a testimonial whilst aged only 25. He holds the Boro' record for most consecutive appearances with 305 consecutive league games and 358 consecutive games in all competitions between March 1972 and August 1980.[4]

He joined Southampton in August 1981 and scored 15 league goals in his first season alongside Kevin Keegan, as the Saints led the table for most of the first three months of 1982 before finishing seventh. He came close to a league title medal again in 1984, as the Saints finished runners-up to Liverpool in the league and were also semi-finalists in the FA Cup. He scored 15 league goals again. And in 1984–85, he scored 10 times in the league and the Saints finished fifth, but were unable to compete in the UEFA Cup due to the ban on English clubs in European competitions arising from the Heysel disaster on 29 May 1985, where 39 spectators were killed during rioting by Liverpool fans at the European Cup final. He helped the Saints reach another FA Cup semi-final in 1985–86, and again totalled 10 goals in the league. However, he was dropped from the team during the 1986–87 season, scoring just once in 22 league games. At the end of that season, he dropped down a division to sign for AFC Bournemouth, where he spent one season before retiring as a player. At Southampton, he had scored 59 league goals in six seasons.[5]

He was Southampton FC's Player of the Season in 1983–1984, and he also made three appearances for the England international team between 1980 and 1984.

Honours

As a player

Southampton

References
  1. "David Armstrong". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  2. Dunk, Peter, ed. (1987). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1987–88. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 336. ISBN 978-0-356-14354-5.
  3. "Where are they now; DAVID ARMSTRONG Former Middlesbrough & Southampton.(Sport)". The Mirror. 26 October 1996. Retrieved 8 January 2019 – via Questia.
  4. Platt, Jim (22 October 2008). "Interview with David Armstrong". Middlesbrough Former Players Association. Archived from the original on 27 October 2014.
  5. "David Armstrong - Southampton FC". Sporting Heroes. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
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