Home » News

Paddy’s gunner miss his Arsenal green days

June 28 2006
The Irish Post

IT’S ALL change in North London as Arsenal Football Club say goodbye to Highbury for the more illustrious Emirates stadium.

For many it’s the end of a famous era but for one Irishman in particular it’s even more poignant. Paddy Galligan is preparing to bring down the curtain on a 32-year year professional association with the club where he has worked as a groundsman and official match day organiser.

From extremely humble beginnings in the early 1960s the Limerickman admits it will be a huge wrench for him when he finally leaves his role as a member of the groundstaff on June 30.

Galligan’s popularity and warmth has earned him unparalleled acclaim and respect at Highbury down through the years and many of the staff admit that the new stadium will just not be the same without the affable Irishman.

Reluctant to leave Paddy did ask for his contract to be extended but management decided new beginnings meant a clear-out staff wise. Still the Charleville native is grateful for all the memories he’s taking with him.

He said: “Arsenal have been great to me down through the years and it will be so sad to leave all this behind at the end of the month.

“I don’t think any club has had the kind of tradition that we have had here at the Arsenal. The late Denis Hill-Wood, who was a former managing director, was a total gentleman and treated you with respect and like so many of his fellow directors they were all so natural.

“That is what is going to be missed around the club with the move because it is going to be so big in the new stadium that all these people will be away from each other.”

Galligan’s love affair with Arsenal began in 1974 while working on a building project at Highbury. The Clerk of

Works asked Paddy if he’d he like to work as a full-time groundsman at the famous football ground.

“Since that day I have never looked back,” said Galligan.

By 1978 Paddy Galligan had become a full-time member of Arsenal FC’s backroom staff where he rubbed shoulders with all the famous names from the club for almost four decades including managers Bertie Mee, Don Howe, Terry Neill, Bruce Rioch, George Graham and finally Arsene Wenger.

Many of Arsenal’s past and former academy players also remain close friends of Paddy and look upon him with genuine affection.

He said: “Michael Thomas, Tony Adams, Paul Merson and Kevin Campbell all worked for me in their teens during their apprenticeships and all still keep in contact. Paul Merson came up to see me recently while Tony Adams is always in touch.”

His job also brought him into contact with several of the leading players in world football including the great Zinedine Zidane whom he was privileged to meet when Arsenal played Real Madrid in the Champions League last season.

Divorced with three children Paddy regards Arsenal FC as his spiritual family and is still undecided on what to do during his retirement.

He said: “I’ll never be able to replace the great times I have had here. I would like to go back and live in Ireland eventually but I will take one day at a time until I make any decision.”

However having lived in the background for so many years attention will be finally be focussed on the congenial Limerick man on July 8 when Paddy is planning his leaving party at Highbury

He said: “I am having a function here that evening and expect many of the former Arsenal players, non-players and managers to attend.

“I guarantee one thing: It will be a lively night.”

It seems like the perfect finale to Paddy’s treasured Highbury years.