Sammy Nelson
Encyclopedia
Samuel "Sammy" Nelson is a Northern Ireland
former football player, who joined London
club Arsenal
on his 17th birthday in 1966.
Originally a left-winger
, Nelson was later moved back into defence to become a left back. He was a regular in Arsenal's reserve side for several seasons, before making his first-team debut against Ipswich Town
on October 25, 1969. However, he was understudy to the Gunners' established left back, Bob McNab
, and it wasn't until McNab was injured in the 1971–72
season did he become a regular in the side. Even then, whenever McNab returned from injury, Nelson was forced to step down to being reserve.
In the meantime, Nelson had made his debut for Northern Ireland
, as a sub against England
on April 21, 1970. Nelson went on to win 51 international caps, including two of Northern Ireland's matches in the 1982 FIFA World Cup
.
McNab left Arsenal in the summer of 1975, and Nelson finally became Arsenal's first-choice left back. For the next five seasons he was a near ever-present in the Arsenal side, and he played in all three of the Gunners' successive FA Cup finals (1978, 1979 and 1980 – but only winning the middle of the three) as well the Gunners' 1980 Cup Winners' Cup loss on penalties
to Valencia
.
An aggressive, hard-tackling full back, Nelson was a crowd favourite and known for his cheeky sense of humour.
With the arrival of England international Kenny Sansom
at the club in 1980, Nelson once again found himself in the reserves. He left Arsenal in 1981 to join Brighton & Hove Albion
. He played 339 first-class matches for the Gunners in total, and scored 12 goals.
Nelson spent two seasons at Brighton; although unable to save the side from relegation in 1982–83
, he did reach another Cup final (his fourth) that season, losing to Manchester United
4–0 in a replay, after a 2–2 draw in the final. Nelson retired from football that summer, and after spending a season as a coach at Brighton, he left the game completely and went into the insurance
industry. He is currently a tour guide at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium as part of their "Legends Tour".
Nelson is married to Helen and they have a daughter named Emily and a two sons named Peter & James. Emily is married to English cricketer Matthew Prior
, and they have a son named Jonathan.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
former football player, who joined London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
club Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
on his 17th birthday in 1966.
Originally a left-winger
Winger (sport)
In certain sports, such as football, field hockey, ice hockey, handball, rugby union, lacrosse and rugby league, the term winger is the name of a position. It refers to positions on the extreme left and right sides of the pitch . In American football and Canadian football, the analogous position...
, Nelson was later moved back into defence to become a left back. He was a regular in Arsenal's reserve side for several seasons, before making his first-team debut against Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
on October 25, 1969. However, he was understudy to the Gunners' established left back, Bob McNab
Bob McNab
Robert "Bob" McNab is an English former footballer.McNab started out at his local club, Huddersfield Town, playing nearly seventy times in three seasons...
, and it wasn't until McNab was injured in the 1971–72
1971-72 in English football
The 1971–72 season was the 92nd season of competitive football in England.-FA Cup:Leeds United overcame holders Arsenal to win the 1972 FA Cup Final...
season did he become a regular in the side. Even then, whenever McNab returned from injury, Nelson was forced to step down to being reserve.
In the meantime, Nelson had made his debut for Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
, as a sub against England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
on April 21, 1970. Nelson went on to win 51 international caps, including two of Northern Ireland's matches in the 1982 FIFA World Cup
1982 FIFA World Cup
The 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. The tournament was won by Italy, after defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final.-Host selection:...
.
McNab left Arsenal in the summer of 1975, and Nelson finally became Arsenal's first-choice left back. For the next five seasons he was a near ever-present in the Arsenal side, and he played in all three of the Gunners' successive FA Cup finals (1978, 1979 and 1980 – but only winning the middle of the three) as well the Gunners' 1980 Cup Winners' Cup loss on penalties
Penalty shootout (football)
A penalty shoot-out, referred to as kicks from the penalty mark in the Laws of the Game, is the FIFA official term for a method used in association football to decide which team progresses to the next stage of a tournament following a tied game...
to Valencia
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
.
An aggressive, hard-tackling full back, Nelson was a crowd favourite and known for his cheeky sense of humour.
With the arrival of England international Kenny Sansom
Kenny Sansom
Kenneth Graham Sansom is an English former footballer. Until overtaken by Ashley Cole in February 2011, he held the record for the number of caps for an England national football team full back, having appeared 86 times for his country between 1979 and 1988.- Crystal Palace :Sansom started out...
at the club in 1980, Nelson once again found himself in the reserves. He left Arsenal in 1981 to join Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
. He played 339 first-class matches for the Gunners in total, and scored 12 goals.
Nelson spent two seasons at Brighton; although unable to save the side from relegation in 1982–83
1982-83 in English football
The 1982–83 season was the 103rd season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Bob Paisley's last season as Liverpool manager ended on a high as they topped the First Division with a comfortable lead. Bob Paisley retired as Liverpool manager with a record 21 prizes in nine years. His...
, he did reach another Cup final (his fourth) that season, losing to Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
4–0 in a replay, after a 2–2 draw in the final. Nelson retired from football that summer, and after spending a season as a coach at Brighton, he left the game completely and went into the insurance
Insurance
In law and economics, insurance is a form of risk management primarily used to hedge against the risk of a contingent, uncertain loss. Insurance is defined as the equitable transfer of the risk of a loss, from one entity to another, in exchange for payment. An insurer is a company selling the...
industry. He is currently a tour guide at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium as part of their "Legends Tour".
Nelson is married to Helen and they have a daughter named Emily and a two sons named Peter & James. Emily is married to English cricketer Matthew Prior
Matthew Prior (cricketer)
Matthew James Prior is an English One Day International and Test cricketer who plays domestic cricket for Sussex. He is a wicket-keeper, and his aggressive right-handed batting enables him to open the innings in ODI matches...
, and they have a son named Jonathan.