York City legend Arthur Bottom dies aged 82

10:29am Thursday 19th April 2012 in Sport Photograph of the Author By Steve Carroll, Sports reporter

ARTHUR BOTTOM, one of the greatest strikers in York City's history, has died.

The 82-year-old passed away in hospital in Sheffield, yesterday, surrounded by his family.

Bottom scored 105 goals in 158 appearances for the Minstermen and was a member of the Happy Wanderers side which reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup in 1955.

Considered one of the best marksmen York has ever seen, Bottom scored a hat-trick on his debut on his way to equalling the club's scoring record of 31 league goals in his first season.

Born in Sheffield, in February 1930, Bottom joined York from Sheffield United and, following his spell at Bootham Crescent, was transferred to Newcastle United in 1958.

He also enjoyed spells at Chesterfield and non-league Alfreton Town.

Comments(28)

rogue84 says...
10:48am Thu 19 Apr 12

a true YCFC legend. a sad day for all concerned with the club. lets get promotion and win the FA Trophy in his honour.

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tips says...
10:50am Thu 19 Apr 12

Rest in peace Arthur a true legend of York City

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Brodes says...
11:18am Thu 19 Apr 12

Echo the previous comments. A true legend for one of our greatest teams.
RIP Arthur. Hopefully there will be a minutes silence for the last home game.

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Brodes says...
11:35am Thu 19 Apr 12

Some nice photos at this link:

http://www.yorkcitys
outh.co.uk/ab80.htm

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The Legend Of Keith says...
11:48am Thu 19 Apr 12

RIP Arthur. A sad day for the club when a legend passes.

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Southern Exile says...
12:02pm Thu 19 Apr 12

RIP Arthur, never saw you play but a true City legend

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Sir Alex says...
12:05pm Thu 19 Apr 12

Very sorry to hear this news.
RIP Arthur.

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redbluelion says...
12:50pm Thu 19 Apr 12

Very sad new's will be sadly missed..a true great and city legend.RIP Arthur..

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saint-trinians says...
12:53pm Thu 19 Apr 12

Arthur was our boyhood hero - and a wonderful member of the FA Cup 54/55 team.
We will remember him for those wonderful matches he played in and goals he scored.
Truly a ' City Legend' in our time. A Minute of Clapping in memory of Arthur before the last game of the season would be really appropriate
Thanks Arthur for those wonderful memories.
RIP Arthur

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SamYCFC says...
12:56pm Thu 19 Apr 12

RIP. sad news

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Big Baz says...
12:56pm Thu 19 Apr 12

Never saw you play but RIP Arthur.

YCFC Legend forever

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RooBeck says...
12:59pm Thu 19 Apr 12

Very sad news, a City legend and one of the strongest heartbeats of that famous 1954/55 side. RIP Arthur.

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yorko66 says...
1:01pm Thu 19 Apr 12

What a sad day my dad only ever had the highest praise for him. He was lucky enough to see him play. Am i right in saying that only leaves Tommy Forgan in Austrilia alive from that great team. RIP arthur forever a legend in our daily internet fanzine

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Some old bloke says...
1:43pm Thu 19 Apr 12

It's a fitting testament to Arthur that his name lives on amongst City fans 54 years after he last played for the club. A real legend.

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NottsExile says...
1:59pm Thu 19 Apr 12

The word 'legend' is used too freely these days. Arthur Bottom was a true legend and will live on in the heart of our great club.
God bless you Arthur and my sympathies to your family

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yorkiemike says...
2:50pm Thu 19 Apr 12

Quite right yorko66 Tommy Forgan is the last living member of that great team.
Arthur was my schoolboy hero and I had the priviledge of seeing him play many times.I remember his goal at the semi final at Hillsborough standing in the pouring rain on the Kop.
RIP Arthur

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OLD - HEAD says...
3:24pm Thu 19 Apr 12

In the 1950s as a schoolkid I used to collect autographs after the match at Bootham Crescent. I will never forget when Arthur Bottom emerged from the players entrance. He always had a huge smile on his face and he was usually puffing away on a cigarette. Not PC these days, but nobody bothered then for Arthur was our hero. A player who could score goals like Arthur would be priceless today. When Newcastle United were struggling at the wrong end of the old 1st Division (now Premier League) they signed Arthur. He duly scored the goals that kept them up. Rest in Peace Arthur, and yes I still have that autograph. A memory of very happy days.

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rogue84 says...
4:36pm Thu 19 Apr 12

old_head, great memory from yourself, one to cherish certainly. newcastle utd have their own small but affectionate tribute to him on www.nufc.com as well.

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Head of Bomber Command says...
5:22pm Thu 19 Apr 12

Arthur, thank you for making a huge contribution in putting our little club on the world footballing map all those years ago as a member of the 'Happy Wanderers'.

Yes I agree whole heartedly with everyone mentioning the word 'legend' you are and always will be a true City legend.

RIP Happy Wanderer.

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TerryYork says...
5:39pm Thu 19 Apr 12

RIP

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RSoles says...
7:29pm Thu 19 Apr 12

Still have very fond memories of that 1950's team,perhaps the greatest of all City teams and by heck, what a great part Arthur Bottom played in it. RIP Arthur.

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Back and Beyond says...
8:51pm Thu 19 Apr 12

Great man, great memories.....
Hope the last game is a 90 minute tribute.

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Even AndyD says...
9:45pm Thu 19 Apr 12

Before my time, but every City fan has a soft spot for Arthur and the cup fighting spirit he epitomised. Part of the YCFC story - a big part. Sad news indeed.

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Garrowby Turnoff says...
11:48pm Thu 19 Apr 12

A York City icon. He'll be remembered for a long long time.

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Garrowby Turnoff says...
11:51pm Thu 19 Apr 12

BTW. This story should feature among the main News items, not just the Sports pages. IMHO He was just as big a York legend as Dick Turpin!

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Mr Happy says...
12:09am Fri 20 Apr 12

OLD - HEAD wrote:
In the 1950s as a schoolkid I used to collect autographs after the match at Bootham Crescent. I will never forget when Arthur Bottom emerged from the players entrance. He always had a huge smile on his face and he was usually puffing away on a cigarette. Not PC these days, but nobody bothered then for Arthur was our hero. A player who could score goals like Arthur would be priceless today. When Newcastle United were struggling at the wrong end of the old 1st Division (now Premier League) they signed Arthur. He duly scored the goals that kept them up. Rest in Peace Arthur, and yes I still have that autograph. A memory of very happy days.
Great post OLD-HEAD.

RIP a true City legend.

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Punk_Ian says...
12:12am Fri 20 Apr 12

RIP Arthur, to young to of seen you play but a true club legend. Let's get promotion this year in your honour

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y-front says...
10:34am Fri 20 Apr 12

My dad (also, sadly, no longer with us) always got misty euyed when he talked about Arthur Bottom. He reckoned Arthur didn't bother going round his opponents, he just went through them.

RIP.

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