Earlier this month, the Arsenal Malta Supporters Club had former Gunners’ great Liam Brady here as their special guest.
When some 16 months ago I decided to call it a day, after 33 years of chairmanship of the supporters’ club, and step down for new fresh blood I knew that I was leaving the running in good hands.
Rodney Azzopardi is now the new chairman and, with the help of a couple of experienced members from past committees, including Robert Massa and Michael Aqui-lina, has succeeded in driving ahead and their work was rewarded with this visit of Brady.
The Irishman was renowned for his technical skills and, most notably, his left foot and high-quality passing.
He tasted success both with Arsenal, winning the 1979 FA Cup, and then with Juventus where he won the Serie A title twice.
Brady was capped 72 times by the Republic of Ireland.
‘Chippy’, as he was often called due to his much love to ‘fish and chips’, joined Arsenal at the age of 15. He played his first game for the Gunners in October 1973, still at the age of 17.
With the appointment in 1976 of Terry Neill, as manager and Don Howe, as coach, Brady found his best form. He was the club’s best player for three seasons and voted PFA Player of the Year in 1979.
His performance in the two Cup Winners’ Cup semi-final ties against Juventus in April 1980 were so impressive that the Turin club decided to sign him. He played for other teams in Italy until his return to England in 1987, ending his career with West Ham United.
After his footballing years he managed Scotland’s Celtic for two years and spent another two seasons with Brighton.
Brady took his knowledge of the game back to Arsenal in 1996, becoming Head of Youth Development and overseeing the progress of the likes of Ashley Cole, Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs and Cesc Febregas, among others.
“It took me a good year to find out the basis of the job but my work, basically, was to get as many good players as I could into the club,” Brady said.
“It coincided with Arsene Wenger’s arrival and he was very open to the fact that we shouldn’t only recruit in the UK. That’s why we saw an influx of European players coming in at 16 years.”
Brady had a deep understanding of what it takes to discover and develop a talented youngster into someone who can perform at the highest level.
Lately, Brady was appointed Ambassador of Arsenal, a role which he surely fits in well.
During his short stay in Malta, Brady showed great willingness in mingling with the Arsenal supporters, talking to old and young Gooners and posing for photos with all.
His answers to the various questions put to him by Peter Paul Gauci during an activity at the club showed his great knowledge of the game and his frank answers were a delight to follow.
Yes, he was a great player and now performing great as an ambassador... Arsenal is in his DNA.