JOE HAVERTYJoe Haverty, who died on 7 February, 2009, just short of his 73rd birthday, was an Irish international who played for Arsenal in the 1950s and later returned to the club as a scout.He also had spells with Blackburn, Millwall, Bristol Rovers, Shelbourne and a period of playing in America.The winger who was born in Dublin on 7 February, 2009, signed for the Gunners from St Patrick's Athletic in 1954 and made his debut shortly afterwards. By 1956 he wasArsenal's first choice on the left side of midfield and had also made his debut for Ireland.He scored 26 goals in 122 appearances forthe clubbefore back trouble started to hamper his career. He moved to Blackburn Rovers in 1961 and returned to London with Millwall in 1962.After brief spells with Celtic (without playing a game), Bristol Rovers and Shelbourne, he moved to America where he played for Chicago Spurs (who became Kansas City Spurs in 1968). He ended his career at Shamrock Rovers before retiring at 33.In total he had played 33 times for his country and scored three times.In 2000 the Football Association of Ireland inducted him ontoits Hall of Fame.Liam Brady, Head of Youth Development at Arsenal where Mr Haverty later worked as a scout, paid tribute to him: "I used to go and watch him in the League of Ireland and the Irish team from when I was about 10 to when I went to Arsenal at 15. He played a long time for the international team, from his Arsenal days right up almost to the '70s."Older fans always tell me what a crowd-pleasing player he was when he was at Highbury. Joe was an old-fashioned winger, small in stature but very quick. He would take on players, get past them and get crosses in."He really enjoyed his time at Arsenal and constantly talked about it. He did some work for the club prior to me coming back. But I asked him to do some more and he was delighted to do that. He was an excellent scout for us.""We all are sad at this news because he was a bubbly character right until the end."Joe Haverty was survived by his wife and three daughters.
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