Sammy Nelson

Samuel " Sammy" Nelson ( born April 1, 1949 in Belfast ) is a former Northern Irish footballer who spent most of his career at Arsenal. With the Northern Ireland national team, he participated in the World Cup 1982 in Italy.

Playing career

Arsenal FC (1966-1981)

The previously active in the reserve team Sammy Nelson made ​​his debut on 25 October 1969 at the age of 20 for Arsenal FC in the Football League First Division 1969/70. A year later won the Nelson only used in four games with his team, the English Championship. In the title win ( 2-1 against Liverpool ) in the FA Cup 1970/71 he was not nominated by coach Bertie Mee for the cadres of the final game. In Europe Champions Cup 1971/72 the team failed in the quarter finals of the Dutch masters and eventual champions Ajax Amsterdam ( 1:2 and 0:1). After he had benefited 1971/72 from the injury to the line on the left back position, Bob McNab, his deployment times reduced a year later significantly. Only after McNab left Arsenal in 1975 after nine years, Sammy Nelson ( 36 league games) 1975/76 established in the Football League First Division as a regular player. In the FA Cup 1978/79 Arsenal won the title by a 3-2 in the final against Manchester United. When he was eight years earlier stayed the title even without use, Nelson was employed by new coach Terry Neill in this game. Also in the European Cup Winners 1979/80 the club acted successfully and missed winning the title after a 4:5 defeat on penalties in the final against Valencia narrowest of margins. As early as 1978 he had been standing with his teammates Pat Jennings, David O'Leary and Pat Rice in the final of the prestigious FA Cup, but lost the game 0-1 against Ipswich Town. 1980 managed the team to the substitute in the 61st minute of the third Nelson catchment in series in the final of the FA Cup 1979/80 ( 0-1 against West Ham United). The Football League First Division 1979/80 he finished with Arsenal in fourth place in the table and scored in 35 league games two hits. After the commitment of the England international Kenny Sansom in the summer of 1980, Sammy Nelson lost his place at left-back and left a year later in September 1981 the club.

He spent his last two seasons at Brighton & Hove Albion. 1982/83 he went with his new team as Table in the second division from. Brighton reached in the same season surprisingly the final of the FA Cup 1982/83, but lost without the non- used Nelson against Manchester United.

Northern Ireland national team (1970-1982)

Sammy Nelson made ​​his debut on 21 April 1970, the Northern Ireland national team in a 1-3 defeat in England. In 1982 he was nominated by coach Billy Bingham in the Northern Ireland World Cup squad for the World Cup in Spain in 1982 and contested the last group game ( 1-0 against Spain). After the surprising group victory against hosts Spain, he was also in the first group match of the second round is used, resigned from Northern Ireland but after a 2-2 draw against Austria and a 1:4 defeat against France from the tournament.

Achievements

  • English Champion: 1971
  • FA Cup finalist: 1978 and 1980
  • FA Cup Winners: 1979
  • Finalist Cup Winners' Cup: 1980
Defender (association football) 1969–70 Football League First Division 1970–71 in English football 1971–72 European Cup 1975–76 in English football 1979–80 European Cup Winners' Cup Valencia CF Ipswich Town F.C. 1979–80 in English football 1982–83 in English football 1982–83 FA Cup
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