RIP Danny Fiszman, Kids in America and three back for Sunday?…..

Danny Fiszman 1945-2011 RIP

Sad news broke yesterday evening – finally after a long time of dreadful suffering to the most evil disease out there, Danny Fiszman finally let go of his fight. He passed away aged just 66 years old.

Danny Fiszman joined the Arsenal Board of Directors in 1992 and was a greatly respected figure at the Club. He was a hugely successful businessman whose love of Arsenal was obvious to all.

He was massive for our club and he had a big influence on our move to The Emirates and was loved by all around him at the club.

Arsenal Chairman Peter Hill-Wood said this as the club announced the sad news:

Danny Fiszman was a visionary Director, a gentleman and a true Arsenal fan. We are all deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend Danny. His voice, wisdom and presence around the football club he so dearly loved will be sorely missed.

Arsenal Football Club will forever be indebted to Danny for his invaluable foresight and contribution during the move from Highbury to our new stadium.

Our thoughts at this time are with Danny’s wife Sally, family and friends. We have lost a much-loved husband, father, grandfather and friend.

Happier Times for Danny.....

One thing every Arsenal Fan will know and that is Danny Fiszman was an Arsenal man through and through, he wouldn’t have done anything that he believed would have been detrimental to our club.

Just maybe it’s time to give Stan Kroenke a chance, something that clearly Danny and his family wanted to do before he left this world.

All that is left to say to Danny is:

I hope you can now Rest in Peace

May your loved ones who you have left behind,

find strength to get through this very sad time..

 

Danny Fiszman wouldn’t have wanted us to forget Arsenal today so well done to the Ladies who saw of a strong Chelsea side in the opening game of the FA Women’s Super League. Gilly Flaherty scored the only goal of the game. Arsenal should have made it 2-0 soon after they scored but Ellen White saw her shot cleared by a chav defender for a corner.

Mind you, the ball took a nasty bobble just before she struck it, otherwise i’m sure that would have been buried in the back of the net.

It was quite funny listening to manager Laura Harvey at both half-time and full-time, I lost count of how many times she said about the poor surface they had to play on. For one minute I thought it was Arsene Wenger talking πŸ˜‰

We’re the kids in America

Neil Banfield and Steve Bould have travelled to America with a 22-man youth/reserve squad to participate in the Dallas Cup. Taking part is an array of footballing cultures in one of the world’s elite youth tournaments.

Our boys kick off their campaign against Dallas Texans on Monday, April 17 , then face Chorrillo FC of Panama a day later. For more information and squad details, see the link below.

http://www.arsenal.com/usa/sh/news/reserves-news/arsenal-at-the-dallas-cup-2011-preview

Rumour is that Chesney, Djourou and Sagna are back in training and in contention to play on Sunday. Fingers crossed for all three, we’ll need them!

That’s it for today…..

 


64 thoughts on “RIP Danny Fiszman, Kids in America and three back for Sunday?…..

  1. Siena says:

    Hello. Thats a wonderful tribute you have made to Danny…I believe he’s flying in heaven with the Angels.

    “Just maybe it’s time to give Stan Kroenke a chance, something that clearly Danny and his family wanted to do before he left this world”

    Something is bugging me about Stan Kroenke’s Takeover Bid. I just find the timing of Danny’s passing and an article I read where he gave an interview with Arsenal.com I could be wrong and there seems to be some rumblings from Tim Payton the AST spokesperson. Here’s my blog on the above and other Arsenal related matters.

    http://fury12-sdenton.blogspot.com/2011/04/arsenal-supporters-trust-welcome.html

  2. rico says:

    Hi Will,

    It is indeed….

    I think the club will do something, DF did so much for our club, we wouldn’t be where we are now without him and I am only referring to all things good….

  3. rico says:

    Remeber when he rounded up the French boys on international duty and got them home pronto in his jet, not sure he was pilot on that day though πŸ˜‰

  4. allezkev says:

    Morning Gooners. Good post Rico, ditto sentiments…
    Can’t wait any longer on Wath, got a train to catch.
    See ya all in a weeks time, adios…

  5. W.A.T.H says:

    Shit, sorry AK, thought with everything going on wasnt really appropriate to post that this morning….! I’ll save it till next week for ya πŸ˜€

    Be lucky fella…

  6. rico says:

    Mind games ahead of their clash no doubt Will, a little pop at the refs…

    I’d rather see his side win that battle…

  7. Will says:

    I have to say though, barca do get a lot of players sent off against them. It is almost as if the ref’s have been told to help them but that wouldn’t happen, would it?

  8. rico says:

    Did we last season in the CL, but def two at least…

    Hi WATH – it sure seems like they can do no wrong…

  9. W.A.T.H says:

    They get away with stuff in europe that the mancs get away with in England….! Can’t remember a decision ever going against barca that changed a game can you..?

  10. Joaquim Moreira says:

    News: Djallo (Sporting) West Ham ?
    Van Basten or Rykard Chelsea coach next year ?
    Villa Boas (Porto coach) unknow interesting from Liverpool.
    Mourinho hasn’t M.city in his mind (contract clause with chelsea ?)

  11. oliver says:

    morning all…good tribute, rip mr fizman, your work and legacy continue…

    to wath at 1:13pm, i thought we caught a huge break in the first leg when messi had that goal disallowed. that call certainly went against them, and as it would have put them 2-0 up in the first half, who knows what would have happened – they certainly would not have lost by a 2-1 score if that goal were allowed to stand. that is one big call that has recently gone against them…

    that is not to say that i don’t think barca get calls in their favour – when you have the rep they and united do, i think these teams get the benefit of the doubt more often than not…just like i think we occasionally benefit from undeserved calls as well – blackpool on sunday, for example.

  12. Will says:

    I disagree a little Oliver. When we player Barca, it seemed to me we were not allowed to tackle them less it spoil the perfect passing.

  13. oliver says:

    maybe not will…and i certainly take exception to robin’s sending off…for me, however, all that does not alter my opinion that messi’s goal was wrongly disallowed…if that goal stood, i think it would have altered the tie – it would certainly have altered the first leg scoreline, if not that evening’s result…

    i’m not trying to defend barca here – wath’s 1:13pm post asked “Can’t remember a decision ever going against barca that changed a game can you..?” my post is in direct response to that statement/question, because i certainly can…

  14. Will says:

    It is more the fact that the majority go their way. One out of 4 games is not really here nor there is it?

  15. oliver says:

    i think it is…you may think i am splitting hairs, but i do not. i think that was a big call that went against them and one which we benefited from…

    i have no love for barcelona, and i think they get the benefit of the doubt more often than not…but there are instances that things do not necessarily go their way. we were hard done with robin’s dismissal, no doubt about that. overall, i would think that chelsea in 2008 have a larger grievance against barcelona than we do…

  16. Will says:

    One. Against how many small decisions against us? How times did we make a legitimate tackle only for it to be blown a foul?

    Seems to me, you are not allowed to tackle Barca.

  17. oliver says:

    some certainly…i will also say that some of the bookings we received – such as song early in the first leg were justified. there is no doubt the barcelona players know how to embellish contact and lobby for cards, but i think there was more than one booking we deserved over two legs…

    you see it differently, and i respect that. i just don’t necessarily agree that other teams are not allowed to tackle barcelona…they are great at gamesmanship and get the benefit of the doubt more often than not…i think most of us would acknowledge that – indeed, many barca supporters (and players) would acknowledge this as well…fair or not, when a side builds a rep as a dominant, winning team (nba lakers, for instance) i think calls generally go their way more often than not…i don’t think there is a calculated conspiracy to book opponents at the slightest contact.

    shakhtar got five bookings total in the two legs against barca, no reds. that’s 2.5 per leg, does not sound egregious to me. they also had several good chances in the nou camp leg, so i am not so sure the referee prevented them from playing by citing fouls every time shakhtar tackled.

  18. agirlagunner says:

    Hello, oliver? Howdy? Been a while. There’s no doubt Barcelona get the benefit of the doubt. Their players are consummate actors. Messi, Busquets, Pique… They all go down far too easily far too often. They know how to milk a contact for all it’s worth. Comeuppance, I hope is vicious, and soon. πŸ˜‰

    Can’t stand Mourinho, but I hope his team beats the Stains.

  19. oliver says:

    hi rico and agag…barca game officials better than we do, no doubt about it…with that said, i have yet to see a team that is whiter than white, and that includes our arsenal side…i maintain that barca are the best in europe at the moment, and they get the beneift of the doubt more often than not…but not always – if they did, would puyol have been sent off and a spot kick awarded during last season’s first leg tie? mind you, this is just my opinion, one of many different ones regarding this issue…

    when this barca side’s star begins to wane – as it inevitably will – they will start getting fewer whistles. where iniesta milks free kicks today, he will be booked for diving tomorrow…that is part of the cycle…

  20. rico says:

    Bridges named in tribute to Friar and Fiszman

    Arsenal Football Club is renaming two bridges at Emirates Stadium in honour of long-serving Club Directors – Ken Friar and Danny Fiszman.

    The bridges, which before today were known as the β€˜North Bridge’ and β€˜South Bridge’, have been renamed to mark the two men’s huge contribution to Arsenal Football Club.

    Arsenal Chairman Peter Hill-Wood today unveiled commemorative plaques on the two bridges during a ceremony at Emirates Stadium, which was attended by the Arsenal Board of Directors, Arsène Wenger and many Club employees.

    Today’s ceremony was overshadowed with the death of Danny Fiszman, who passed away on Wednesday, following a long battle with illness. Danny was 66.

    Danny, who joined the Board of Directors in 1992, was a much loved and respected figure at the Club and will be deeply missed by his many friends and colleagues at Arsenal.

    The thoughts of everyone at Arsenal are Danny’s family and friends at the difficult time.

    It was Danny’s instruction to continue with the event and therefore the Club honoured its dear friend’s wish.

    As well as serving on the Arsenal Board of Directors for a combined total of more than 55 years, Friar and Fiszman led the project team in the Club’s successful move from Highbury to the new stadium.

    The pair were the driving force behind delivering the Club’s new stadium on time and within budget in July 2006, during a project which took many years of hard work and dedication.

    Peter Hill-Wood said: β€œThese two men have had a huge impact on Arsenal Football Club. This is a small way of recognising their efforts and ensuring their passion and commitment to this great football club will be remembered through time.”

    The North Bridge, which joins Emirates Stadium to Drayton Park, close to Arsenal tube station, has been renamed β€˜The Ken Friar Bridge’ in tribute to Club Director Ken Friar OBE.

    Ken Friar (76), has worked for Arsenal since 1950. Starting his Arsenal career working in the Matchday Ticket Office, β€˜Mr Friar’ as he is affectionately known by all Club employees, became Club Secretary in 1973. Ten years later, he was promoted to Managing Director, a position he held until 2000, when he took on the role as co-ordinator of the stadium move.

    The South Bridge, which contains the iconic giant β€˜ARSENAL’ letters at one end, has been renamed β€˜The Danny Fiszman Bridge’ in tribute to Club Director Danny Fiszman

    Life-long Arsenal fan Fiszman , a highly successful businessman, was a leading influence at the Club since joining the Board of Directors in 1992.

  21. rico says:

    It’s just a shame oliver, officials should be the same across the whole board, not just in certain parts, but…

    That will never ever be the case as the officals are only humans….

    I just wish they could get the basics right, however, a great side will overcome some hurdles….

  22. agirlagunner says:

    They are the best at the moment, oliver. And I hope that moment ends soon. πŸ˜€ Maybe then, we’ll beat them.

    My beef is that for a team that takes such pride in being masters of the tikitaka and having the spirit of champions and having the best players in the world yadda yadda yadda, they dive a lot, these Catalans. And it’s hardly ever mentioned in the press, such media darlings they are. Grrr.

    Hey, rico. How are you? Seem to be such a busy girl. I can’t wait for May. Like you, I’m holidaying, too. πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚

  23. oliver says:

    rico, it is the human element, as you say…nba playoffs start this weekend, and i expect certain teams such as the lakers and miami will have will have inherent advantages because of recent success (lakers) and star power (kobe, lebron and d-wade). that does not make it a level playing field, but it is inherent in the system…the referees will sometimes swallow their whistles when kobe fouls on d, and whistle immediately when d-wade drives the lane…no different in any other sport really.

    nice tributes to df and kjf…their legacy is the stadium, and it is nice to see parts of the complex named for them.

  24. oliver says:

    agag, the other side of the argument – which i do not condone – is that from their lofty perch, they are aware that they can gain certain advantages if they game it right…and they exploit this, as probably most teams in their situation would.

    contrast that to the spuddies, who had one strong penalty claim ignored…i doubt a barca player – perhaps not a madrid player either – would have had that one turned down…bale’s pathetic dive early on probably also influenced the ref last night…

  25. agirlagunner says:

    Exactly, oliver. They’re at the top of their game at the moment and enjoy the benevolence of refs. Another thing not mentioned in the press, that gets me really riled? When the Catalans converge upon the ref when they want calls made against the opponent. When Cesc speaks, admittedly, err.. animatedly with the ref, we’re savaged by the papers and every other two bit ex-player posing as some expert in the game.

    (clearly, I’m in a had done by mood… πŸ˜‰ )

  26. agirlagunner says:

    I hope new management takes us to greater heights. It’s no good feeling second-, third-, fourth- best all the time. πŸ™

    I’ll send you photos. πŸ˜‰ This one’s a midi-; and unless I doze my days away, I should be able to do more tours and stuff.

  27. Siena Denton says:

    @Rico “Bridges named in tribute to Friar and Fiszman”

    Thank you for posting your article on the re-naming of the North and South Bridges Tributes to honour both long-serving Club Directors – Ken Friar and Danny Fiszman.

    The combined efforts of these two men, clearly indicated their passion for their Arsenal club to where it is today and I’m sure Arsenal will go from strength to strength, with Ivan Gazidis, AW and the others, carrying on with their legacies of hard work.

    Cheers πŸ™‚

  28. K-TR7 says:

    Hi agag.am not watching anything just waiting for the weekend.we’ll play pool,there is a manc derby and an el classico to look forward to.its a shame that next week the NLD and el classico for the copa delarey final will be played at the same time.

  29. rico says:

    Hey Siena, good to see you back, feel free to be a regular here, we need more ladies, ( i am assuming of course by your name πŸ˜‰ ) there are just two of us here right now πŸ™‚

  30. agirlagunner says:

    Hello, Siena. Do come back. πŸ™‚

    I hear that said on that show, KT. And I’m sure you’d watch us get 3 points off of Liverpuddle. πŸ˜‰

    Nightynight, rico. πŸ™‚ Hope dinner’s good.

  31. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Probabaly I can’t watch Arsenal-Liverpool :-((
    Meanwhile, Spartak moscow 1 Porto 4 at the 65th minute (agregate 2-9)

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