Alf Arrowsmith (11 December 1942 – 12 May 2005) was an English footballer who played as a striker.

Alf Arrowsmith
Personal information
Date of birth (1942-12-11)11 December 1942
Place of birth Hollingworth, England [1]
Date of death 12 May 2005[2] (age 62)
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
Ashton United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1960–1968 Liverpool 47 (20)
1968–1970 Bury 48 (11)
1970–1972 Rochdale[3] 47 (14)
1972–1973 Macclesfield Town 20 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Arrowsmith began his career in non-league football with Tintwistle Villa. The talented player made his mark scoring a massive 96 goals in the 1959–60 season - a club record which remains unbeaten today. He moved to Ashton United where he played alongside future England star Alan Ball and within weeks was spotted by an Anfield scout and signed for Liverpool in 1960 for £1500.[4] Although he made his debut for the club the following year it was during the 1963–64 season that he really came to prominence, scoring fifteen goals in 20 league games.[4] However a bad injury suffered in the 1964 FA Charity Shield derailed Arrowsmith's career and he never recaptured the same form again, leaving to join Bury in 1968, before finishing his career at Rochdale and Macclesfield Town.[4]

Arrowsmith was described by Liverpool manager Bill Shankly as "a born goalscorer".[5]

After a short illness he died in May 2005.[6]

References edit

  1. ^ "Liverpool career stats for Alf Arrowsmith - LFChistory - Stats galore for Liverpool FC!".
  2. ^ "Liverpool career stats for Alf Arrowsmith - LFChistory - Stats galore for Liverpool FC!".
  3. ^ B.J. Hugman, Rothmans Football League Players Records The Complete A-Z 1946–1981, 1981, p. 58
  4. ^ a b c Past Player Profile - Alf Arrowsmith
  5. ^ "Liverpool career stats for Alf Arrowsmith - LFChistory - Stats galore for Liverpool FC!".
  6. ^ Carr, Sue (18 May 2005). "'Born to score' Alf dies aged 62". Glossop Advertiser. M.E.N. Media. Archived from the original on 8 December 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2012.