David Armstrong (English footballer)
Encyclopedia
David Armstrong, born Durham
, 26 December 1954 is a former footballer who played most of his career for Middlesbrough
(from 1972–1981), before moving to Southampton
in August 1981 where he played for a further six seasons. He finished his league career by playing for AFC Bournemouth
in 1987–1988
.
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.
It was at Southampton where he enjoyed the best days of his career. He joined them from Middlesbrough 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 once 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 once 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 once 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 two divisions 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.http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=38082
At Middlesbrough, 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.
Durham
Durham is a city in north east England. It is within the County Durham local government district, and is the county town of the larger ceremonial county...
, 26 December 1954 is a former footballer who played most of his career for Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
(from 1972–1981), before moving to Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
in August 1981 where he played for a further six seasons. He finished his league career by playing for AFC Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
in 1987–1988
1987-88 in English football
The 1987–88 season was the 120th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Liverpool won the league title with a comfortable nine-point margin and just two defeats all season....
.
He was Southampton FC's Player of the Season in 1983–1984, and he also made three appearances for the England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
international team between 1980 and 1984.
It was at Southampton where he enjoyed the best days of his career. He joined them from Middlesbrough in August 1981 and scored 15 league goals in his first season alongside Kevin Keegan
Kevin Keegan
Joseph Kevin Keegan, OBE is a former international footballer and former manager of the England national football team and several English clubs, most notably Newcastle United....
, 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 once again in 1984, as the Saints finished runners-up to Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
in the league and were also semi-finalists in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
. He scored 15 league goals once again. And in 1984–85
1984-85 in English football
The 1984–85 season was the 105th season of competitive football in England.-Bradford City disaster:56 spectators died and more than 200 were injured when a fire ripped through the Main Stand at Valley Parade during Bradford City's Third Division fixture with Lincoln City on 11 May...
, he scored 10 times in the league and the Saints finished fifth, but were unable to compete in the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
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
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
semi-final in 1985–86
1985-86 in English football
The 1985–86 season was the 106th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :The championship crown went to Liverpool for the 16th time in their history at the end of their first season under the management of Kenny Dalglish, but they had to fight off some very stiff competition to...
, and once again totalled 10 goals in the league. However, he was dropped from the team during the 1986–87 season
1986-87 in English football
The 1986–87 season was the 107th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :The First Division championship went to Everton in their final season under the management of Howard Kendall before his departure to Athletic Bilbao. His side overcame a spate of injuries to fight off...
, scoring just once in 22 league games. At the end of that season, he dropped down two divisions 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.http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=38082
At Middlesbrough, 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.
As a player
SouthamptonSouthampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
- Football League Division 1 Runners-up: 1983–841983-84 in English footballThe 1983–84 season was the 104th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Liverpool had a great first season under the management of Joe Fagan as they wrapped up their third successive league title and the 15th in their history...