It was sad news for Southampton supporters late on Sunday evening when they learned of the passing of 1980's club legend David Armstrong, I am sure I speak for all Saints supporters especially those who saw him play in sending our condolences to his family.

It was a shock to hear that David Armstrong had died on Sunday evening, information has been a little sketchy, but it seems he passed peacefully in his sleep whilst in Athens.

The news was broken on the website of his first club Middlesbrough and it has been taken up by other media outlets including the official website of Southampton FC.

David was born on 26th December 1954, making him only 67 when he died, he started his career with Middlesbrough and in nearly 10 years in the Boro first team racked up 359 appearances before joining Saints in August 1981.

He arrived at the Dell as Saints then record signing with £600,000 splashed out to procure his services , he joined the club in perhaps it's most exciting era and joined the likes of Kevin Keegan, Mick Channon, Steve Williams and Steve Moran in an attack minded side that led the league that season for the longest period of any side, but ultimately dropped short in the run in.

His early days at the club did not see immediate success, it took him a few months to settle, but he started to show why he had been signed with a last minute winner against Manchester United and from then on he was one of the most consistent players in a stay that lasted from August 1981 and ended on the final day of the 1986/87 season at Coventry City.

In those 6 seasons he played 222 League games and scored 59 goals with another 50 appearances in various cup competitions also bringing another 12 goals.

He would win just three England caps although if he had played 20 years later he would probably have won a lot lot more and would have been worth a fortune in the transfer market.

Sadly when he left Saints he signed for Bournemouth but picked up an injury that would end his career and he would play just 9 games before retiring in 1988 aged 33.

He would remain in the Southampton area and would be employed in various capacity's for football clubs both non league and also the likes of Reading and Bournemouth.

He also worked for an office equipment company and did work for local radio including BBC Radio Solent.

Dave played in an era when professional footballers of his standard still had to work for a living when they ended their playing careers, when you look at his stats you have to consider that in the modern game he would surely have got a lot more England caps and earned a lot more money from the game.

RIP David Armstrong a true Saints Legend in a time when the phrase is used a lot more liberally than it should be, but Dave's record can be held up against most players who have ever played for the club.

Our Condolences to his wife Maureen and family.

Photo: Action Images

Dellwizard added 09:02 - Aug 22 So sad to hear. I recently had to pick my all time Saints 11 from the 70's and 80's and David was one of the first on the team sheet along side Mick Channon and Alan Ball.
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SaintNick added 09:08 - Aug 22 Great player for Saints and indeed for Middlesbrough
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SaintPaulVW added 10:07 - Aug 22 RIP, great hard working player, capable of unleashing an unstoppable shot. Thoughts with his family.
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StEdmund added 10:44 - Aug 22 Such a great servant of the club. Brilliant player, great goals. Remember him vividly in Cup semi with Everton at Highbury. Condolences to all his family and friends.
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ThereIn76 added 10:59 - Aug 22 Very sad news, he was far too young. Imperious player. Remember him scoring many wonderful goals, including a fantastic 20-yard volley at home to Liverpool in 1986. Condolences to his family.
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redwight added 11:22 - Aug 22 Really sad news. There are not many goals that remain vivid in the memory, but his last minute winner against ManU will always be one of them. Also recall him throwing his shirt into our enclosure at Meadow Lane at the end of the runner's up season. Such happy days. Definitely a Saints legend for me - and only a year older, which is a bit of a sobering thought.
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1885_SFC added 11:35 - Aug 22 RIP. Saw him play many, many times over the years for Saints. Even met him a few times - including when the whole team paid a visit to my ship HMS Southampton when she was being built at Vospers woolston. Lovely bloke who always had time for a quick chat. Thanks for the memories Dave - especially THAT cross into the box for Stevie Moran, Fratton Park, 1984. Condolences to his family.

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Colburn added 11:44 - Aug 22 Wonderful, brilliant player and indeed a true club legend. The run, touches and finish for that winner against Utd lives long in the memory for me too. Loved hearing him on the radio commentary. Very sad news, condolences to his family. RIP David.
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ChristchurchSaint added 12:40 - Aug 22 Such a sad loss. Again, one of those players who grafted for a whole game, and when he was out injured, you suddenly realised how much he was missed. If he had played now, pundits would have been drooling over his skills. RIP Dave 🔴⚪️🔴⚪️
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saintmark1976 added 13:27 - Aug 22 A wonderful player who at his peak with us, would walk into the midfield of any current Premiership Team, not just ours. For those younger Saints fans who didn’t have the privilege of seeing him play —“yes” he really was that good. On this site we exchange opinions, sometimes vigorously, but today’s sad news puts it all into perspective. At the end of the day our divergent views don’t really matter much do they. RIP Sir and thanks for the memories. Hopefully the club will honour him and his family in the traditional way this coming Saturday.

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DellBoyWally added 13:47 - Aug 22 For those who didn't get to enjoy Spike's time at The Dell there is a Twitter link on Middlesborough's tribute: https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2022/august/21/rip--david-armstrong/ You think JWP can take free kicks.....!!!!
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Block8 added 14:30 - Aug 22 Great player & true gentleman, I also hope we show our appreciation for him on Saturday
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KriSaint added 23:58 - Aug 22 Can't believe it. Absolutely guttered to hear about his passing. Only a few years ago I was thrilled by listening to my Saints hero Armstrong co-commentating a Saints match as a stand-in for Dave Merrington. My favourite player in the 80's. Watched him play at The Dell in 1985: I was 17 and totally star-struck of him, and of course he was man of the match that day. Magnificent, very consistent and technically skilled, strong, goal assisting and goal scoring midfielder. Condolences, respect and endless sympathy to his friends and family in this difficult time - from a Danish guy who loves The Saints and have supported them for 43 years. By the way I believe David had his England debut vs Denmark, in Denmark, in a 2-2 Euro qualifying match. R.I.P Mr. Armstrong <3

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LondonSaint76 added 00:50 - Aug 23 So very sad to hear the news - he was a fantastic player and a loyal servant to both Boro and Saints alike. We paid £600,000 for David about 2 years after Trevor Francis had become the 1st ever £1m player. For our younger readers put that into context with the very top end of the modern transfer market and it would value him at £80m if not more looking at what the likes of Mbappe and Coutinho moved for more than 2 yrs ago. He'd be worth every penny... Saw all of his games for Saints at The Dell from my bench seat near the Archers Rd end. His goal against Man U in the 3-2 win has been mentioned a few times - not an easy one to find but here is some grainy footage of that game - our game starts at 3m 57s in and runs to the end of the video clip. www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDsvJ6S-TxI I also remember David's contribution towards a brilliant team goal v Liverpool at The Dell, about 15 passes in all but as it gets to the edge of the box DA gets fed a ball from Keegan, problem is, he's got his back to the goal - no problem, just keep the move flowing with a deft overhead kick! Pure class... www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxyYSoblpcI RIP David - a true Saints legend.

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saintpete01 added 06:31 - Aug 23 RIP David great player and a Gentleman
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ItchenNorth added 13:54 - Aug 23 A cult hero of those 80s Saints teams. Instantly recognizeble, quality on the ball and knew where the back of the net was. Great player. RIP.
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KriSaint added 23:16 - Aug 23 Yes, tripple as bald as Antonio Conte (who wears a permanent wig), Mr. Armstrong was instantly recognizable. Cult hero type of player, indeed. Nice that someone mentioned Armstrongs participance in the greatest team goal of all times (ultimately hammered in by Mick Channon).
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