David Armstrong dead at 67: Football mourns as ex-England midfielder and Middlesbrough and Saints legend passes away

FORMER England, Middlesbrough and Southampton midfielder David Armstrong has passed away at the age of 67.

Boro, where he spent a decade of his career from 1971 to 1981, announced the news of his death on their club website on Sunday evening.

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David Armstrong has sadly passed away at the age of 67[/caption]

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Both Boro and Saints fan consider him to be a legend at their club[/caption]

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Armstrong spent six years at Southampton where he made well over 200 appearances[/caption]

A post from the North East outfit read: “We are saddened to learn of the passing of our long-serving former player David Armstrong.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

Armstrong, an attacking midfielder, holds the record for the most consecutive appearances by a Boro player – an incredible 358 in all competitions between March 1973 and August 1980.

He received his first England cap towards the end of his time at Boro and would go on to play in two more international matches.

He also won the Second Division with Boro in 1974 under the management of Jack Charlton.

Later in his career, Armstrong spent six years at Southampton where he helped them finish runners-up in Division One in 1984 behind Liverpool.

And Saints supporters also came out with some touching tributes for their former player.

One fan said: “Devastated to hear the news about the passing of David Armstrong.

“An absolute Saints legend who I idolised through my early teens.

“His ball into the box for Steve Moran’s last-minute winner at Fratton Park will live long in my memory. RIP David Armstrong. #SaintsFC.”

While another added: “I usually avoid football tweets on here but devastated to hear David Armstrong has died.

“One of my favourite ever players and my first footballing hero for Southampton .”

Before retiring in 1988, Armstrong spent one season at Bournemouth where he would finish his career.