Bald Facts

Like many gifted soccer players of the 1970s and 1980s, the story told by legendary Middlesbrough, Southampton, and England winger David Armstrong includes some spectacular ups and downs; but the speed and ferocity of his personal rollercoaster ride are surely unique. Starting out at Leeds, David resisted signing for Don Revie- later followed by Clough' s Forest and Manchester United. He played an incredible 356 consecutive matches for Middlesbrough before being forced out after 10 years. On to Saints with Keegan, Ball, and Channon- and more near misses in the league and cup. Armstrong' s promising England career was sadly curtailed by a falling-out with Bobby Robson, and just four years later he was forced to sign on the dole. The break-up of his first marriage, his desperate desire for an ankle amputation, and bailiffs at the door lend David' s riches-to-rags story of stardom and poverty a human appeal far beyond soccer.