ARTHUR FITZSIMONS |
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irelandshirts
Ray Houghton I love Ireland jerseys Joined: 02 Apr 2010 Location: Jersey Status: Offline Points: 4416 |
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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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reddladd
Jack Charlton Joined: 07 Oct 2008 Location: Virgin Islands Status: Offline Points: 6945 |
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Good post.
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I could agree with you but then we'd both be wrong.
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brianie
Roy Keane Joined: 13 Oct 2007 Location: Bray Status: Offline Points: 11508 |
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+1
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ITS KEANE YES
YBIG You Can Please some of the People Some of the Time But Not All of The People All of The Time |
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FREEWHEELER
Robbie Keane sPICE UP YOUR LIFE Gwan MONROY Joined: 29 Mar 2007 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 24595 |
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Good man Eddie, must ask me Da about him, same era, me Da would be 4 years younger.
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We'll never die, we'll never die, we'll keep the Green Flag flying high......Shamrock Rovers will never die, we'll keep the Green Flag Flying high. 19 Leagues and 25 Cups.....
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McG
Moderator Group SISAO? What the hell is SISAO? Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Location: Christmas Island Status: Online Points: 27003 |
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Nice story Eddie. Fair play.
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YBIG Table Quiz winner 2016 & 2017
AS YOU WERE McGx |
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BigStrongMan
Robbie Keane Just Modding Like Joined: 22 May 2009 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 107633 |
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PM me for all forum moderation queries.
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Drumcondra 69er
Jack Charlton Joined: 07 Oct 2009 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 7123 |
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Nice post, fair dues.
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kopkid
Liam Brady Joined: 03 Dec 2011 Status: Offline Points: 1459 |
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Brilliant post dude
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Borussia
Roy Keane Joined: 14 Oct 2010 Location: UK Status: Offline Points: 10750 |
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Clonbhoy
Roy Keane AKA Sir Basil Butterpeas Esquire Joined: 12 Aug 2010 Location: Iarthar Chorcaí Status: Offline Points: 13976 |
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Great post
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irelandshirts
Ray Houghton I love Ireland jerseys Joined: 02 Apr 2010 Location: Jersey Status: Offline Points: 4416 |
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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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irelandshirts
Ray Houghton I love Ireland jerseys Joined: 02 Apr 2010 Location: Jersey Status: Offline Points: 4416 |
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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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Het-field
Roy Keane By Appointment to His Majesty The King Joined: 08 Mar 2016 Status: Offline Points: 10658 |
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Some great posts Eddie.
Have some personal accounts of Arthur Fitzsimons who was a total and utter gentleman.
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MC Hammered
Jack Charlton Joined: 05 Oct 2011 Status: Online Points: 6872 |
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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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El Puto Amo
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deise316
Moderator Group Don't ask me about car warranty Joined: 11 Apr 2009 Location: The Déise Status: Offline Points: 10921 |
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Missed this thread originally, great post Eddie, well told.
RIP Arthur. |
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Picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue.....
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SuperDave84
Robbie Keane ooh Thomas, how could you do this to me! Joined: 26 Aug 2011 Location: Far Fungannon Status: Offline Points: 21384 |
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Brilliant post Eddie. RIP.
Edited by SuperDave84 - 12 May 2018 at 4:07pm |
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