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.