ARTHUR FITZSIMONS
Printed From: You Boys in Green
Category: International
Forum Name: Republic Of Ireland
Forum Description: All ROI International Team forums
URL: https://forum.ybig.ie/forum_posts.asp?TID=49991
Printed Date: 28 Apr 2024 at 9:12pm
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Topic: ARTHUR FITZSIMONS
Posted By: irelandshirts
Subject: ARTHUR FITZSIMONS
Date 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.  ------------- WWW.IRELANDSOCCERSHIRTS.COM |
Replies:
Posted By: reddladd
Date Posted: 04 Oct 2014 at 1:53pm
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Good post. ------------- I could agree with you but then we'd both be wrong. |
Posted By: brianie
Date Posted: 04 Oct 2014 at 1:54pm
+1 ------------- 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 |
reddladd wrote:Posted By: FREEWHEELER
Date Posted: 04 Oct 2014 at 2:26pm
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Good man Eddie, must ask me Da about him, same era, me Da would be 4 years younger. ------------- 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..... |
Posted By: McG
Date Posted: 04 Oct 2014 at 2:33pm
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Nice story Eddie. Fair play. ------------- YBIG Table Quiz winner 2016 & 2017 AS YOU WERE McGx |
Posted By: BigStrongMan
Date Posted: 04 Oct 2014 at 4:35pm
 ------------- PM me for all forum moderation queries. |
Posted By: Drumcondra 69er
Date Posted: 04 Oct 2014 at 5:58pm
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Nice post, fair dues. ------------- Blog: http://afalsefirstxi.blogspot.ie/" rel="nofollow - A False First XI Twitter: @afalsefirstxi Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afalsefirstxi/" rel="nofollow - A False First XI |
Posted By: kopkid
Date Posted: 04 Oct 2014 at 6:05pm
| Brilliant post dude |
Posted By: Borussia
Date Posted: 05 Oct 2014 at 12:35am
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Posted By: Clonbhoy
Date Posted: 05 Oct 2014 at 12:36am
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Great post ------------- A man can have no greater love than give 90 minutes to his friends. @withgodlygrace |
Posted By: irelandshirts
Date Posted: 09 Jan 2016 at 8:15am
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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. ------------- WWW.IRELANDSOCCERSHIRTS.COM |
Posted By: irelandshirts
Date Posted: 12 May 2018 at 11:28am
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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.🍀⚽🇮🇪 ------------- WWW.IRELANDSOCCERSHIRTS.COM |
Posted By: Het-field
Date Posted: 12 May 2018 at 12:17pm
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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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Posted By: MC Hammered
Date Posted: 12 May 2018 at 12:19pm
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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. ------------- El Puto Amo |
Posted By: deise316
Date Posted: 12 May 2018 at 12:24pm
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Missed this thread originally, great post Eddie, well told. RIP Arthur. ------------- Picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue..... |
Posted By: SuperDave84
Date Posted: 12 May 2018 at 4:07pm
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Brilliant post Eddie. RIP. |