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ARTHUR FITZSIMONS

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Ray Houghton
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    Posted: 04 Oct 2014 at 1:18pm


With the fame and wealth that modern Irish Internationals achieve its easy to forget about the great Irish players that went before that many of us never got to see even on old grainy tv footage.

I had been aware that Arthur Fitzsimons who played for Ireland with distinction from 1949 to 1959 lived around the corner from me and id often seen him walking and meant to stop and have a chat with him but didn't want to disturb him. The other night he was in our local shop in front of me and as he went out I said id say hello. I wasn't trying to get a jersey off him before some smart arse cracks that line!!!

We got talking and he seemed surprised that someone my age had even heard of him or knew who he was or worse could tell him he scored 7 goals in 20 odd games in a ten year Irish career!!.He started talking about the great players he played with and the efforts that Irish players made to even get home to play for their country during that era.The lack of facilities, medical backup, kit and the poor wages on offer but that nothing would stop him getting home to play for his country.30 minutes had passed and I didn't want to delay him so I just asked him-"what was it like to pull on the green jersey and play for your country"?

His eyes started to mist over and his voice trembled as he started to tell me about the "unforgettable noise that you could hear inside the dressing room in Dalymount as we got ready. The hairs standing up on the back of my neck as i put on my jersey knowing that i was going out to play in front of and for my country and how when i stood for the national anthem i felt 10 ft tall and as strong as 10 men.We feared no one.I never played for money or fame but for my country and id do it all again in a heartbeat".

By this stage Arthur wasn't the only one who was misty eyed!!!! He is 85 in December and still looks as fit as he did back in the 50s.It was a real inspiration and privilege listening to him talk and some of the current generation of Irish footballers could do with listening to him speak to fire them up before they wear that green jersey to really appreciate the great honour they receive every time they are even called up to a squad.

Arthur had a great career that took him from Shelbourne,Boro,Lincoln,Mansfield,Crusaders,Drogheda and Ireland.He scored 7 goals in 26 Internationals over a ten year period and was a 1 in 4 goalscorer at all levels.The FAI inducted him in the Hall of Fame in 2009 and he also has an alcove dedicated to his career in Abbottstown.

Arthur Fitzsimons will never be as famous or as wealthy as any of the modern players but like all our ex players they do deserve to be remembered for their efforts in Green. It was a real pleasure to meet him.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote reddladd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Oct 2014 at 1:53pm
Good post.
I could agree with you but then we'd both be wrong.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote brianie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Oct 2014 at 1:54pm
Originally posted by reddladd reddladd wrote:

Good post.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote FREEWHEELER Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Oct 2014 at 2:26pm
Good man Eddie, must ask me Da about him, same era, me Da would be 4 years younger. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote McG Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Oct 2014 at 2:33pm
Nice story Eddie. Fair play.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BigStrongMan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Oct 2014 at 4:35pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Drumcondra 69er Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Oct 2014 at 5:58pm
Nice post, fair dues.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote kopkid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Oct 2014 at 6:05pm
Brilliant post dude
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Borussia Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Oct 2014 at 12:35am
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Clonbhoy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Oct 2014 at 12:36am
Great post
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote irelandshirts Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Jan 2016 at 8:15am
Lovely to see Arthur Fitzsimons being recognized at the SSE Awards last night.Very well deserved honour for a man who gave everything for his country.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote irelandshirts Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 May 2018 at 11:28am
Very sad to learn that Arthur Fitzsimmons passed away.A real gentleman and a great servant to Irish football.

Rest in Peace.🍀⚽🇮🇪
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Het-field Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 May 2018 at 12:17pm
Some great posts Eddie.

Have some personal accounts of Arthur Fitzsimons who was a total and utter gentleman.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MC Hammered Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 May 2018 at 12:19pm

John Giles spoke very warmly about Arthur on Off the Ball during the week. He described thinking of Arthur as a hero when Giles was a young lad. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote deise316 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 May 2018 at 12:24pm
Missed this thread originally, great post Eddie, well told. 

RIP Arthur. 


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SuperDave84 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 May 2018 at 4:07pm
Brilliant post Eddie. RIP.


Edited by SuperDave84 - 12 May 2018 at 4:07pm
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