Scott Marshall: The last Scot to play for Arsenal - also Imps in midweek action

At the end of my last post I posed the question who was the last Scotsman to play for the Arsenal first team? I was not really expecting to have to go back nearly 20 years, but it has been almost that long. While I was involved in research this midweek the gallant Lincoln City were involved in high octane Vanarama National League action. Arsenal and Lincoln City will get it on at the Emirates Stadium in eight days time on the next stop on the Road to Wembley from Scotland.

Scott Marshall: A Gunner in the nineties and the last Scot to play for Arsenal

The last Scot to play for Arsenal was Scott Marshall in 1998. Scott comes from a famous Edinburgh footballing family. His dad and his brother are both called Gordon and both were famous goalkeepers. His father played for my beloved Hearts in the all conquering Hearts team of the 1950s. After a barren trophy-less period at Tynecastle lasting almost 50 years, Hearts acquired silverware in the late fifties like a house-breaker on speed. Four league cups, two league championships and a Scottish FA Cup were all won with Gordon Marshall Snr between the sticks. Gordon Snr then went on to forge a successful career with Newcastle United.

Scott's dad Gordon Marshall Snr: A Hearts legend now 77 and still as fit as a fiddle

Scott’s brother Gordon Jnr was also a goalie of some repute. He played for Celtic 100 times and played for Scotland once. When he started his career at Falkirk he was a part time footballer and his main source of income was working in the family hairdressing shop in Haymarket Edinburgh. When he was having a bad game for Falkirk the Bairns’ fans would cruelly refer to him as ‘Mr Teasy-Weasy’.

 

Scott's brother Gordon Marshall Jnr - ooh! love that 'just off centre' parting

 Scott Marshall left Edinburgh in 1991 at the age of 17 to sign for Arsenal. In 7 seasons at Highbury he only made 23 appearances for the Gunners. He spent much of this time on loan and Rotherham, Oxford United and Sheffield United all benefited from his contribution. It was at the time when Arsenal had Lee Dixon at right back and Nigel Winterburn at left back and these two played for the Gunners for over a decade, rarely got injured and never suffered a dip in form. Young Scott was a promising full back but his way into the first team on a regular basis was blocked. He made his last Arsenal first team appearance in April 1998 and left to sign for Southampton. Nineteen years later I can report that no Scot has played for the Arsenal first team since Scott Marshall. No wonder they are finding it difficult to win trophies these days! Since leaving Arsenal Scott played for Southampton, Brentford and Wycombe Wanderers, eventually hanging up his boots in 2004. For the last dozen years he has worked as a coach most notably as a member of the management team at Aston Villa. He is currently between jobs.

Scott Marshall on the bench at Aston Villa in 2015

The modern Scot-less Arsenal return to action tomorrow after a two week break. They travel to Anfield to play Liverpool in an iconic Premier League fixture. On May the 26^th 1989 Arsenal won the last league match of the entire season 2-0 in Liverpool in the most dramatic finish to a league championship season. Arsenal needed to win by two goals otherwise the hosts Liverpool would be crowned champions. Michael Thomas scored the Arsenal second goal in the final minute of the football season. The triumph was masterminded by Scots manager George Graham. With no Caledonian influence available to the Gunners tomorrow I fear for them.

Meanwhile, back in Lincolnshire, the Imps are preparing for a visit to Aldershot tomorrow to fulfil a Vanarama National League fixture. They were also in action in midweek when York City visited Sincil Bank. Almost 7000 fans crammed into the Imps home ground as the Lincoln City season continues to fascinate the public. Perhaps with the upcoming visit to The Emirates Stadium on their minds the Imps were not quite on their A game. They trailed 1-0 at half time. With fifteen minutes left on the clock a cross was headed down by cult figure Matt Rhead into the path of Alan Power who netted from close range

The Imps have the Power. Irishman Alan scores at a packed Sincil Bank on Tuesday

Also in midweek, I got the news from my good friend and ex colleague and Lincoln City season ticket holder Kevin Oliver that my ticket for the big match on the 11^th March in London is booked. I am looking forward to the match with great anticipation.Thanks very much to Kevin and it will be great to be in with the Lincoln City supporters for this historic football match. Before that the Imps travel to Aldershot and the Gunners travel to Liverpool. Will the protagonists demonstrate good form in advance of their clash on the Road to Wembley from Scotland? Come back here on Sunday to find out … and keep reading.